Category: NSW News

Defence businesses across the state will be supported to engage in active research and development, thanks to support from the NSW Government to co-fund a program led by Australia’s national science agency CSIRO.
 
The established CSIRO Innovate to Grow program, currently being trialed for the NSW defence sector, will turbocharge industry innovation, create jobs and secure the future of the NSW defence industry.
 
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Stuart Ayres said applications are now open, with a focus on businesses either directly involved with or looking to expand into the defence sector, across key regions including Greater Sydney, the Hunter, Shoalhaven/Illawarra, Riverina-Murray and Capital Regions.
 
“This program will leverage innovation-aware businesses interested in taking their operation to the next level by investigating new research and development opportunities and wider engagement with research organisations,” Mr Ayres said.
 
“Our vision for a forward-thinking and world-leading NSW defence industry depends on removing barriers to collaboration between industry and researchers to harness the potential of long-term partnerships.
 
“Piloting this program for defence will complement our existing defence industry innovation efforts, including $1.9 million to support the NSW Defence Innovation Network to generate hi-tech defence solutions and develop a collaborative research ecosystem.”
 
The NSW Government has provided $25,000 to upskill up to 30 defence-compatible small to medium businesses via the free self-paced 10-week virtual program to provide expert connections and training to understand R&D opportunities.
 
Member for the South Coast Shelley Hancock said the NSW Government’s investment in defence businesses provides a ripe opportunity for local businesses to collaborate with the public sector.
 
“The South Coast is home to some of our nation’s hardest workers and brightest minds,” Mrs Hancock said.
 
“These projects will enable sharp-minded and ambitious businesses to further boost their capabilities, contribute to a state-wide defence program and train their staff. All while supporting the state’s invaluable defence industry.”
 
CSIRO SME Collaboration Lead Dr George Feast said the program had a successful track record to date in a range of high-priority sectors.
 
“To date we’ve delivered the program to more than 200 businesses in a number of key sectors including cyber security and agriculture, and will be expanding to energy manufacturing, health and now defence,” Dr Feast said.
 
“Our primary goal through this program is to equip businesses with the right knowledge and capabilities to enable them to build their confidence with getting involved with R&D, which can help them come up with new ideas for their business.
 
“Each course is very much sector-specific, and participants will get to hear directly from industry and research experts, be paired with a CSIRO or university mentor and work alongside other like-minded businesses.”

The Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade (DEIT), a new NSW Government department, is open for business from today reinforcing the state’s commitment to economic development, job creation, innovation, new technologies, and liveability.
 
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Stuart Ayres said the new department brings together enterprise and trade, tourism and hospitality, arts and culture, sport, and Western Sydney under one cluster.
 
“Bringing together these agencies and groups into a new ecosystem will help drive our state’s post-COVID economic transformation and create sustainable jobs of the future right here in NSW,” Mr Ayres said.
 
“We are positioning NSW as the best place in the world to do business − where innovation, trade, tourism, sport and culture work together to drive the dream combination of economic strength and vibrant lifestyle.
 
“We want to help NSW businesses find new markets and help drive collaborative partnerships between government and non-government organisations to fuel economic growth, and make Western Sydney an economic powerhouse.
 
“This is also about ensuring we have the world’s best arts and cultural institutions, sporting facilities and events to create thriving communities and attract tourists alike.”
 
DEIT Secretary Amy Brown said the new cluster will not just focus on economic outcomes but has a mandate to ensure liveability is a key focus for prosperity.
 
“The quality of our neighbourhoods, workplaces and cities has a significant factor on our economic development and our ability to attract talented workers, students and innovative companies to NSW,” Ms Brown said.
 
“The new department will allow for more cohesive inter-agency planning and decision making, allowing us to build on our reputation as the number one place for people across the world to invest, live, visit, study, grow and play.”

West and South-West Sydney community groups can now apply for WestInvest funding with the $1.6 billion Community Project Grants program open to registrations of interest today.
 
Community, sports, multicultural and faith based groups, non-government organisations, Local Aboriginal Land Councils, universities, Local Councils, registered charities and more are encouraged to put forward transformative ideas for their neighbourhoods.
 
Eligible projects must be based in one or more of the 15 eligible Sydney Local Government Areas and deliver transformational infrastructure that addresses one of the six focus areas:
 

1. Parks, urban spaces, and green space;
2. Enhancing community infrastructure such as local sporting grounds;
3. Modernising local schools;
4. Creating and enhancing arts and cultural facilities;
5. Revitalising high streets;
6. Clearing local traffic.

 
Treasurer Matt Kean said the allocation of $1.6 billion to community grant projects would enable locals to take the lead on infrastructure projects that would benefit the community.
 
“Any eligible organisation with a great idea to improve livability in the West and South-West can now apply for a share in these grants to fund a project which will make a difference in their community,” Mr Kean said.
 
“This isn’t about major roads or tunnels or highways – this is about more quality green space, better high streets, strengthening the connection between schools and communities and improving local facilities. This is about allocating funds to projects that will make a real difference in the West and South-West of Sydney.”
 
Minister for Enterprise and Trade, and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said WestInvest had been designed to fund projects that address real, local community need.
 
“This $1.6 billion grant program is significant, and its importance lies in that it is driven by local people with local ideas,” Mr Ayres said.
 
“This isn’t a top-down approach to community improvements – this is about informed, capable community groups being able to access funds for projects to transform their communities on a tangible, local level.
 
“Already we have had more than 5,300 submissions suggest projects through the WestInvest Have Your Say website, so we know the people of the West and South-West Sydney want to have input into the infrastructure projects in their neighbourhood.”
 
Community organisations will be able to participate in the mandatory Registration of Interest (ROI) process by 21 April, 2022 to help inform their applications and determine their eligibility.
 
Applicants will be advised of the outcomes of the ROI process before grants open for eight weeks from 2 May, 2022 until 27 June, 2022.
 
The $5 billion WestInvest program is designed to fund transformational infrastructure projects that will enhance communities. In addition to the $1.6 billion in grants for community projects, $400 million in non-competitive funding will be allocated directly to each of the 15 eligible local councils.
 
A further $3 billion is set aside to deliver transformational projects that will benefit local communities, led by NSW Government agencies.
 
To find out more about WestInvest and how your organisation can apply and to access application support, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/westinvest

The community has been provided with its first look at designs for the $438 million Shoalhaven Hospital redevelopment showcasing the vision for the state-of-the-art health facility.

Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the NSW Government is investing in a significant expansion of Shoalhaven Hospital, which will provide the local community with enhanced health services.
 
“In a major step forward for the redevelopment, new artist impressions have been unveiled today revealing the design for the hospital precinct, which will transform healthcare services for the Shoalhaven community and improve health outcomes,” Mr Hazzard said.
 
Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the redevelopment of Shoalhaven Hospital is about future proofing healthcare in the region. 
 
“I’m very excited to share the new artist impressions of the Shoalhaven Hospital redevelopment with the community and encourage everyone to provide feedback as we move forward with its delivery. This major investment from the NSW Government marks a new era in healthcare for the South Coast,” Mrs Taylor said.
 
“A new acute services building connecting to the existing hospital, rooftop helipad, and refurbishment of existing hospital buildings are just some of the highlights of this major redevelopment.
 
“The NSW Government is also improving access to the hospital with alternate entry and drop off areas on Shoalhaven Street and off North Street. There will also be a new dedicated entrance for ambulances.
 
“The project team has been working closely with clinicians and key healthcare stakeholders and we’re now encouraging the local community to provide their feedback which will inform the design of the project.” 
 
Local Member and the Parliamentary Secretary for the South Coast, Shelley Hancock, said the southern end of Nowra Park will be retained as greenspace for the local community to enjoy.
 
“Landscaped areas will also be established on the hospital’s ground to create a welcoming space and enhanced experience for patients, staff and visitors,” Mrs Hancock said.
 
Mrs Hancock encouraged the local community to attend pop-up stalls that will be taking place throughout the region, where members of the project team will be on site to answer any questions about the redevelopment.
 
The community pop-ups are scheduled for the following locations and times:

• Shoalhaven Hospital, Wednesday, 30 March 2022 from 4pm – 6pm
• Stockland Nowra, Thursday, 31 March from 10am – 12pm
• Berry Mall (next to Berry Pharmacy), Thursday, 31 March from 2pm – 4pm
• Ulladulla Shopping Centre, Friday, 1 April from 10am – 12pm
• Vincentia Shopping Village, Friday, 1 April from 2pm – 4pm
• Bunnings Nowra, Saturday, 2 April from 10am – 12pm

 
The $438 million Shoalhaven Hospital redevelopment will provide new facilities including cardiology, mental health and aged care wards, more operating theatres and a new emergency department, and there will also be greater access to more specialised staff, equipment and technology.
 
The Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital will complement other health projects for the Illawarra Shoalhaven community, including $700 million for the new Shellharbour Hospital, and recently completed projects including $11.8 million for the new Shoalhaven Hospital multistorey car park, $37.1 million towards the Bulli Hospital, and the Dapto and Ulladulla HealthOne projects, delivered as part of the $100 million HealthOne program.
 
The project is part of the NSW Government’s record $10.8 billion investment in health infrastructure to 2024-25, with nearly a third of the capital allocation in this financial year going towards regional and rural health facilities.
 
To view the plans and find out more about the proposed new hospital, please visit www.shoalhavenredevelopment.health.nsw.gov.au 

The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) NSW has condemned the NSW Government’s latest attack on the right to protest in the form of its Roads and Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 which was introduced in NSW Parliament with little notice last night.

“With penalties of up to two years in gaol or up to $22,000 in fines, this proposed legislation potentially criminalises and prohibits any protest that occurs without police approval on any major road in NSW,” NTEU NSW Secretary Dr Damien Cahill said. 

“Despite amendments passed by Labor, the Bill also potentially criminalises many activities that union members take as part of protected industrial action. 

“It is not just industrial action but other forms of protest such as around climate change that may be criminalised by this Bill. 

“The Bill diminishes civil and industrial liberties and should be opposed.

“People who are protesting and calling on governments to take more urgent action around climate change will be considered heroes by future generations. 

“It is reckless and disgraceful that the NSW Government is attempting to silence their voices.”

The 2022-23 Commonwealth Budget has delivered a raft of measures that will further assist NSW small businesses to rebound after two challenging years.
 
Small Business Minister Eleni Petinos said that measures outlined in the Federal Budget complement NSW Government initiatives already assisting the 800,000 small businesses across the state.
 
“The Federal Budget delivers strong incentives and measures to help NSW small businesses look to the future whilst navigating current challenges posed by the pandemic, floods and cost of living,” Ms Petinos said.
 
“NSW small businesses will benefit from measures to improve their cash flow, reduce red tape and provide greater convenience with reporting and meeting their tax obligations.
 
“Tax incentives to invest in skills, training, digital and cyber security will allow small businesses to adjust their operations to meet the modern business landscape.”
 
Measures announced by the Federal Treasurer that will assist NSW small businesses include:
 

• Additional tax deductions for digital uptake and training;
• Fuel excise cut by 50% saving 22.1 cents per litre;
• Lower tax instalments for pay-as-you-go (PAYG) and GST instalments for the 2022-23 income year;
• Changes to the PAYG system to improve small business cashflow;
• Improvements to the reporting of taxable payments;
• Allowing small and medium businesses who manufacture, import and distribute in the alcohol and fuel sectors to lodge and pay excise and excise-equivalent customs duty on a quarterly basis from 1 July 2023.

 
Further information can be found at budget.gov.au.

Treasurer Matt Kean welcomed the Commonwealth Government’s 2022-23 Budget, which delivers $2.6 billion for infrastructure projects across NSW, tax relief and measures to ease cost of living pressures to fuel the COVID-19 economic recovery.
 
“I congratulate Josh Frydenberg on a Budget that delivers vital infrastructure, tax and cost of living relief, and also important spends on preschools, aged care and domestic violence prevention,” Mr Kean said.
 
“This budget provides skilled training for in-demand industries, supports first home buyers and will help our state bounce back stronger than ever.
 
“NSW is helping drive the improvement in the Commonwealth Budget with our current record low unemployment rate of 3.7 per cent.
 
“This is a strong foundation to build upon as we continue to pursue the NSW Government’s priorities ahead of our State Budget in June.”
 
Key funding for NSW in tonight’s Federal Budget includes:

• $2.6 billion in additional funding for infrastructure over the four years to 2024-25. The Budget funds longer-term commitments including $1 billion to create a faster rail link between Sydney and Newcastle, $352 million for the Milton Ulladulla Bypass and $336 million for upgrades to the Pacific Highway at Wyong.
• More than $1 billion over the four years from 2021-22 for the flood recovery effort.
• Additional tax relief worth $420 for low-to-middle-income earners and $250 one-off payments for pensioners and welfare recipients.
• A share of $2.7 billion towards a temporary six-month cut to the fuel excise for immediate relief, saving motorists 22.1 cents per litre.
• $346.1 million over five years to extend the Paid Parental Leave scheme to 20 week

NSW Treasury is now examining the details of the Commonwealth Budget, which will feed into the NSW 2022-23 State Budget.

“As a state we will continue to partner with the Commonwealth to ensure NSW remains the lifeblood of the national economy, and continues to drive Australia forward through the pandemic,” Mr Kean said.

“We’ll also be looking for further opportunities help make people’s lives better, relieve cost of living pressures, and break down barriers to create a fairer society.”

The NSW Government has launched the Digital Individual Contractor Licence in the Service NSW app, allowing tradies to easily access their work licences and contractors and consumers to quickly check credentials.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said after a successful trial of more than 1400 tradies the Digital Contractor Licence was now available free across the State for individual Contractor Licence holders who wanted to go digital.

“This is about a smart NSW making it easier for people to do business across the State and for consumers looking to check a tradie,” Mr Dominello said.

“Security is baked in to the digital licence which includes an animated NSW Government logo, auto-refreshing date and time, QR code that expires and reloads, and a Waratah hologram.

“But for those who want to keep using their existing card that will always be an option.

“And we have heard loud and clear from tradies during the trial that they also want access to digital Qualified Supervisor and Tradesperson Certificates and we are planning to roll these out in late April.”

The Digital Contractor Licence is the second trade licence and credential to be digitised following the launch of the Digital White Card in April 2021, which has more than 185,000 people using it in the Service NSW app.

Minister for Small Business and Fair Trading Eleni Petinos said the new licence app will strengthen consumer safeguards against prospective tradies.

“Digital contractor licences will make it convenient for consumers to assess the qualifications of a tradesman prior to entering into a contract,” Ms Petinos said.

“The Digital Contractor Licence is a quick and secure way for contractors to display their credentials on site and for consumers to check a licence when engaging a tradie.

“A digitised licence adds another layer of protection for consumers by allowing them to quickly check details such as name, date of issue and any conditions.

“This is a perfect case of a licensing regime keeping pace with modern technology, making it easier for tradies to do business while protecting consumers from dodgy scammers.”

Funded by the Department of Customer Service’s Digital Restart Fund, the NSW Government’s Licensing Program is working to digitise trade licences and create end-to-end licensing journeys with the aim of improving customer service, providing convenience and making compliance with legislation easier.

Customers can now add the Digital Contractor Licence in the Service NSW app, which is available to download from the Apple App Store or Google Play. It is currently available for individual contractor licence holders only and they will need a MyServiceNSW account.

For more information, please visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au

Recovery Centres and assistance points continue to open their doors to flood-affected communities across NSW, with new facilities now operating in Cessnock, Nimbin, Ulladulla and Woodburn.
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said Recovery Centres provide individuals, families, farmers and business owners easy access to a range of Government support, services and advice.
 
“We now have 14 Recovery Centres and assistance points in the Northern Rivers, four in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley, three on the Central Coast, two on the South Coast, two in the Hunter region and one in the Southern Highlands,” Ms Cooke said.
 
“Each Recovery Centre is operated by Resilience NSW staff and bring together a range of NSW Government agencies, community organisations and service providers under one roof.
 
“The trauma our flood-affected communities right across the State continue to suffer is immense. This is why we are doing everything possible to help residents kickstart their recovery journey.”
 
Recovery Centres and assistance points provide access to accommodation, lost document replacements, mental health and wellbeing services, business support, clean-up services, financial assistance, and insurance and legal support.
 
To view the opening hours of each Recovery Centre and assistance point, go to: www.service.nsw.gov.au/floods/recovery-centres.
 
For those wanting to be assisted remotely, Service NSW is operating as an online one-stop shop, with Customer Care specialists also available on the phone via 13 77 88.

 
List of Recovery Centres and assistance points:

1. Ballina: Ballina Surf Club, Lighthouse Beach Parade, East Ballina;
2. Casino: Casino Community and Cultural Centre, 35 Walker Street, Casino;
3. Cessnock (assistance point): Wollombi Tennis Club, 2979 Paynes Crossing Road, Wollombi;
4. Chinderah (assistance point): Kingscliff Seventh Day Adventist Church, 85 Phillip Street, Chinderah;
5. Evans Head: Evans Head Recreation Hall, Kirkland Court, Evans Head;
6. Grafton: Old St George Bank, 32 Prince Street, Grafton;
7. Kyogle: Kyogle Memorial Institute, 131 Summerland Way, Kyogle;
8. Lismore: V Block, Southern Cross University, Military Road, East Lismore;
9. Londonderry (assistance point): Londonderry Community Hall, 360 Carrington Road, Londonderry;
10. Lower MacDonald (assistance point): St Albans School of Arts and Walmsley Road, Lower MacDonald;
11. Maclean (assistance point): Maclean Community Centre, 50A River Street, Maclean;
12. Mount Olive (assistance point): Mount Olive Community Centre, 135 Carrowbrook Road, Mount Olive;
13. Mullumbimby: Mullumbimby Civic Memorial Hall, 55 Dalley Street, Mullumbimby;
14. Murwillumbah: Murwillumbah Civic Centre Auditorium, 10-14 Tumbulgum Road, Murwillumbah;
15. Nimbin (assistance point): Nimbin Neighbourhood Centre, 81 Cullen Street, Nimbin;
16. Riverstone (assistance point): Riverstone Neighbourhood Centre, Riverstone Neighbourhood Centre, 9 Park St, Riverstone;
17. Shoalhaven (assistance point): Kangaroo Valley Hall, Moss Vale Road, Kangaroo Valley;
18. South Golden Beach (assistance point): South Golden Beach Hall Corner Helen St and, Pacific Esplanade, South Golden Beach;
19. South Windsor: South Windsor Family Centre, 6 Greenhills Way, South Windsor;
20. Spencer (assistance point): Spencer Community Hall, 4776 Wisemans Ferry Road, Spencer;
21. The Entrance (assistance point): Diggers at The Entrance, 315 The Entrance Road, Long Jetty;
22. Ulladulla (assistance point): Ulladulla Civic Centre, 81B Princes Highway, Ulladulla;
23. Upper Main Arm (assistance point): Kohinur Hall, 1297 Main Arm Road, Upper Main Arm;
24. Upper Wilsons Creek (assistance point): Lilium Café, 10 Huonbrook Road, Upper Wilsons Creek;
25. Wingecaribee (assistance point): Moss Vale Civic Centre, 68 Elizabeth Street, Moss Vale;
26. Wisemans Ferry: The Retreat, 5564 Old Northern Road, Wisemans Ferry; and
27. Woodburn (assistance point): Woodburn Op Shop, Corner of River and Cedar Streets, Woodburn.

Hundreds of people sleeping rough will be assisted into longer-term housing as part of the NSW Government’s $35.5 million partnership with the community housing sector.

Minister for Families and Communities Natasha Maclaren-Jones said the Together Home Transition program will fund nine community housing providers (CHPs) to deliver 142 social housing, and eight affordable housing properties in 11 locations across the state.

“The $122.1 million Together Home program is a nation-leading initiative that has already assisted 728 people with housing needs and 870 with support services to help transform their lives,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.

“This transition program will assist Together Home tenants into longer-term social housing with wrap around supports. It builds on the work we are doing to help people rebuild their lives.

“In partnership with the community housing sector, the Together Home Transition program will help more people break the cycle of homelessness for good.”

The NSW Government will provide $35.5 million and the contracted CHPs will co-contribute funds to deliver the 150 homes around the state.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch said this was great news for the Central Coast.
This program is helping lift people out of homelessness and it’s creating local construction jobs at the same time,” Mr Crouch said.  

“East Gosford, Warnervale and Canton Beach are all getting new accommodation thanks to Together Home and this government’s continued investment in social housing.”

Pacific Link Housing CEO Ian Lynch said the three projects combined are worth more than $11.4 million, including the NSW Government’s $4.9 million Together Home Transition program co-contribution, and will deliver 25 properties, including 17 social housing units.

“Not only will this supply accommodation for people in need, but it will also provide a welcome boost for the local economy,” Mr Lynch said.

The Together Home program was first rolled out in July 2020 and will support over 1,054 people sleeping rough into stable housing.