Category: NSW News

NSW will be home to the world’s first 100 per cent renewable energy shore powered shipping precinct, at the Bays Port in the heart of Sydney.
 
Minister for Transport and Veterans David Elliott said Bays Port, which includes Glebe Island and White Bay, will be the first bulk shipping precinct fully supplied by shore power. The White Bay Cruise Terminal will also be the first shore powered cruise berth in the Southern Hemisphere.
 
“Our Government is creating the ports of the future and in doing so transforming the communities in which they continue to operate,” Mr Elliott said.
 
“The first berth is set to come online in 2024, and will allow shore power capable ships to cut their diesel generators, and thereby reducing emissions, air pollution and noise levels whilst at port.
 
“Shore power is cleaner and quieter, minimising the impact of ships on neighbouring areas and ensuring our last remaining deep water harbour berths continue to operate sustainably into the future,” Mr Elliott said.
 
In the Bays Port area alone, renewable shore power will remove up to 14,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere over 12 months, the equivalent of taking over 4,000 cars off our roads every year.
 
The Port Authority of NSW CEO, Captain Philip Holliday, announced the net zero and shore power plan with the support of bulk shipping and cruise industry leaders.
 
“This is an historic partnership with the Port Authority of NSW investing over $60 million to deliver this infrastructure as the first step, with port users already pledging to retrofit and build ships to take advantage of this technology,” Captain Holliday said.
 
“Delivering Shore Power will drive us even further than our already ambitious NSW net zero targets, of a 75 per cent emissions reduction by 2030 and be net zero by 2040.”

Sustainable, economically viable and environmentally friendly projects have received NSW Government funding through a program which is fostering innovation through the state’s world-leading researchers and companies.
 
Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology Alister Henskens said the Circular Economy Challenge Program will help to remove barriers and build new sustainable supply chains that minimise or eliminate waste as well as generate jobs and investment in new circular industries.
 
“The Circular Economy refers to a model of production and consumption which aims to eliminate waste by keeping products and materials in use through innovative methods,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“This funding is supporting exciting ways for businesses and people to participate in the new zero-carbon, zero-waste circular economy, ensuring NSW stays at the forefront of innovation and research in this area.”
 
The funding was announced today, coinciding with Minister Henskens addressing the Australia Circular Economy Forum hosted by NSW Circular.
 
Minister for Environment James Griffin said the projects are focused on solving the greatest environmental challenges through innovation.
 
“The circular economy is already in action in NSW, through programs including our wildly successful Return and Earn scheme, which has had more than 7 billion plastic containers returned,” Mr Griffin said.
 
“I’m focused on boosting the circular economy even more to help support our environment through the NSW Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy, which begins implementation this year.”
 
NSW Circular CEO Lisa McLean said collaboration is the key to solving the big challenges of transitioning to a circular economy.
 
“These research projects are proving there are new and better ways to reduce, recycle and reuse waste across many sectors – health, waste management, construction, infrastructure and finance,” Ms McLean said.

Shark response capabilities will be enhanced at beaches across the state, with the NSW Government announcing a boost of $4.4 million for a suite of immediate additional mitigation methods, as well as ongoing funding of more than $85 million to continue this strategy until 2026.

Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said shark interactions are always possible, regardless of the technologies deployed – but it is critical for the NSW Government to do everything possible to reduce that risk to the millions of beachgoers who hit the water every year.

“The tragic event at Little Bay earlier this year was another reminder of the threat posed by sharks and the need to take steps to ensure we can coexist as safely as possible,” Mr Saunders said.

“We are not only announcing immediate additional response capabilities, including more Shark Listening Stations, SMART Drumlines and Rapid Response Vehicles, but we’re also committing to ongoing funding for future mitigation to protect our beachgoers for years to come.”

The immediate additional response package includes:

• 10 additional VR4G Listening Stations;
• 60 extra SMART drumlines;
• 500 more shark tags to trace sharks caught on an expanded drumline roll out;
• Funding for four more Rapid Response Vessels;
• Long Range Drone Trials in partnership with Surf Life Saving NSW;
• Additional Surf Life Saving resources to increase their presence at beaches; and,
• Applied research into wetsuit materials to reduce the impact of shark attacks.

The $85.6 million 2022-2026 Shark Management Program will include:

• The extension of the 51 nets currently deployed seasonally as part of the Shark Meshing Program;
• The continuity and expansion of the SMART drumline program;
• The establishment of a First Responder Team based across NSW to coordinate the government’s response to shark incidents;
• Keeping the NSW Government’s 37 shark listening stations across the coast;
• More funding to Surf Life Saving NSW to continue and expand aerial surveillance using drones across the state’s coastline;
• Funding to continue to enable Surfing NSW to provide shark mitigation supports and services such as trauma kits during riding competitions and surf schools;
• Research funding for new tools, technologies and further insights into shark behaviour; and,
• An annual survey of community confidence and sentiment in NSW Government shark mitigation efforts.

Mr Saunders said the investment builds on an already extensive suite of mitigation methods.

“This summer alone, the NSW Government committed $21.4 million to implement a number of extra mitigation tools, including SMART drumlines, drone technology, 16 additional shark listening stations, 51 shark nets, the Shark Smart app and community awareness campaigns, so today’s funding will be a welcome boost to build on these initiatives,” Mr Saunders said.

“We know sharks can be extremely dangerous and aggressive, but they’re also part of what makes NSW’s marine life so beautiful, so we need to make sure we continue to have state-of-the-art technology in place to allow them and beachgoers to coexist.

“There is no other jurisdiction in Australia or across the globe which has done as much testing and trialling of technology and approaches to mitigate shark interactions, and our shark program is now the largest and most comprehensive in the world.”

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

A new 500 megawatt battery has received planning approval, helping to drive Liddell Power Station’s transformation into a renewable energy hub.
 
Treasurer and Energy Minister Matt Kean said batteries will play an important role in delivering reliable and affordable electricity to the homes and businesses in NSW and will become an intergral part of the State’s energy future.
 
“The NSW Government’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap is the nation’s most ambitious renewable energy plan, which is expected to attract up to $32 billion of investment in new electricity infrastructure,” Mr Kean said.
 
“Big batteries combined with solar, wind and pumped hydro will help to deliver some of the cheapest and most reliable energy to the families and businesses of NSW.”
 
“This planning approval is a big win for the Hunter, with the project expected to create up to 100 construction jobs and attract $763 million worth of capital investment.”
 
Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said the approval signifies a sunny future for the Hunter and will shore up energy supply as the power station closes over the next two years.
 
“This new battery is three times the size of Tesla’s battery in South Australia and will ensure our electricity grid continues to power on as coal-fired power stations power off,” Mr Roberts said.
 
“Renewable energy in NSW is a rapidly growing sector, and battery systems like this enable the industry to store renewable power and support the grid network when it needs it most.
 
“This is the third battery approved in NSW since planning rules changed two years ago, to provide a clearer, simpler process for large stand-alone batteries, with a further 13 in the pipeline. That’s a potential 3,980 megawatts worth of power in the system.”
 
The project’s proponent, AGL, has advised that the battery will be constructed in stages, with the first stage expected to be operational by 2023.

Primary producers are set to benefit from the NSW Government’s $125 million investment in the Primary Industries Productivity and Abatement Program to drive sustainable land management, boost productivity and help reduce emissions.
 
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said this latest initiative will create opportunities for food and fibre producers, building on the success story of our farmers and ensuring they are part of the solution to a lower carbon economy. 
 
“Regional NSW is the engine room of the State, with primary producers pumping more than $13 billion into the economy every year,” Mr Toole said.
 
“The NSW Government is committed to future-proofing our primary industries by helping farmers diversify their businesses, and strengthen economic and climate resilience in our regions.”
 
Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean said the primary industries sector is a key driver of economic prosperity in our regions.
 
“Primary producers and land managers are playing an important role in NSW achieving its goal of reducing emissions by 50 per cent by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050,” Mr Kean said.
 
“This program is about improving both our planet and bottom line by supporting farmers to take up low emissions technologies and sell more produce to consumers who want a low carbon future.”
 
The Primary Industries Productivity and Abatement Program has three focus areas:

• $52 million to develop market and industry foundations, including trusted and transparent data, metrics and frameworks to assess carbon and biodiversity outcomes;
• $72 million to build critical mass and capacity, including incentives for land managers to reduce emissions at scale; and
• $1 million for accelerating finance for natural capital and low carbon farming, by working with the finance sector to increase investments in natural capital and low carbon farming.

 
Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW Dugald Saunders said the NSW Government is continuing to engage with stakeholders on the implementation of the program, with applications for funding to open in the coming months. 
 
“This is all about building economic resilience and creating jobs in regional communities, by encouraging sustainable farming practices through grants programs and partnerships with financial institutions,” Mr Saunders said.
 
“Primary producers are set to benefit from a broad range of support from this program, including advice on how to maximise carbon opportunities in their business, direct funding to projects which reduce emissions and increase sequestration of carbon in soils, and the implementation of more efficient modes of measuring and reporting environmental performance.”
 
Minister for Environment James Griffin said the $125 million investment in the Primary Industries Productivity and Abatement Program will also benefit the environment.
 
“This funding will unlock the ability of primary producers and land managers to develop new revenue streams through carbon markets while also highlighting the potential biodiversity co-benefits of our natural capital,” Mr Griffin said.
 
More info on the program: https://www.energysaver.nsw.gov.au/reducing-emissions-nsw/primary-industries-productivity-and-abatement

Major events are set to come back bigger and better under a funding boost that drives tourists to the regions and helps communities back on their feet. 

Acting Premier Paul Toole today opened applications for Round Two of the NSW Government’s $20 million Regional Events Acceleration Fund (REAF) to help bring new major sporting, lifestyle, food, music, art and cultural events to regional NSW.

“We are serious about driving investment and tourism in the regions – and this package will put more heads on beds, fill restaurants and cafés, and help drive regional NSW’s economic recovery from bushfire, floods, drought, COVID-19 and the current flooding crisis,” Mr Toole said.

“The package has already supported more than 80 events and attracted an estimated one million visitors to the regions, laying the foundations for a strong recovery across regional NSW.

“Helping organisers host world-class events in their own backyard showcases our great regional towns to national and international audiences.”

Event organisers, regional NSW councils, not-for-profit organisations, sporting bodies and Aboriginal Land Councils are eligible to apply for grants.

Applications to the Regional Events Acceleration Fund open today and close 5pm Tuesday, October 4, 2022.
The $40 million Regional Events Acceleration Fund is part of the NSW Government’s $2 billion Regional Growth Fund, which is delivering infrastructure and programs that generate economic opportunities, create jobs and improve everyday living in the bush.

For information about eligibility criteria and program guidelines, go to: www.nsw.gov.au/REAFund.

The number of people sleeping rough in the City of Sydney continues to decline as the NSW Government ramps up efforts to address homelessness across the state.
 
Minister for Families and Communities Natasha Maclaren-Jones said no matter where you live, the priority is to ensure everyone has a safe place to call home.
 
“We’ve made tremendous progress in the City of Sydney by almost halving the number of people sleeping rough in only five years which is really encouraging,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
 
“But we now need to redouble efforts to tackle this issue in regional areas to match that progress.
 
“This year I took part in the count to see first hand how it works. I want to thank the many volunteers who give up their time to do this important work as well as the staff from the City of Sydney and from the Department of Communities and Justice.”
 
The City of Sydney street count for 2022 shows 225 people sleeping rough, a 17 per cent reduction since February 2021 and a 48 per cent reduction since February 2017.
 
Across the regions there are increases in the street count with the statewide figures showing there are 1,207 people sleeping rough.
 
The 2022 figures do not include some parts of the state, including Brunswick Heads and Mullumbimby, because street counts in those areas were cancelled due to the recent extreme weather events.
 
For the first time we have expanded the count to include Glen Innes, Gunnedah, Inverell, Moree Plains, Yass Valley, Bellingen and Wentworth.
 
The NSW Government has committed to reducing street homelessness in NSW by 50 per cent by 2025, as one of the Premier’s Priorities.
 
Since April 2020, the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) has expanded assertive street outreach services from three initial locations to almost 60 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across NSW, performed over 9,500 street patrols and other outreach activities to engage with people sleeping rough and offer a pathway to long-term housing.
 
“We have supported more than 1,300 people sleeping rough into social housing, and more than 600 people into private accommodation,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
 
“We have invested in new homelessness prevention programs to support people in social housing to maintain their tenancy and avoid returning to homelessness.”
“Having a street count is an extremely valuable measurement tool. It gives us real information tailored to particular areas so that we can direct our resources where they are needed most.”
 
The Department of Communities and Justice partnered with more than 150 local organisations to conduct this year’s statewide street count in 76 LGAs across NSW.
 
In addition to efforts to address housing in flood-affected parts of NSW, the NSW Government has introduced:
 

• A $484.3 million investment to support women and children escaping domestic and family violence into housing and specialist services.
• An additional $183 million dedicated to fast track more social housing properties across NSW.

• The Community Housing Innovation Fund, a $150 million program to deliver social and affordable housing in partnership with Community Housing Providers (CHPs).
• The $1.1 billion Social and Affordable Housing Fund, an initiative to provide access to social and affordable homes together with access to tailored support services.
• Together Home, a $122.1 million program which helps people into long-term stable housing.
• Rent Choice, which supports access to safe and affordable housing in the private rental market.  

 
The 2022 street count figures are available at:
https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/about/reforms/homelessness/premiers-priority-to-reduce-street-homelessness/street-count
Anyone who is homeless, or at risk of homelessness, can call Link2home on 1800 152 152.

NSW has posted its lowest unemployment rate since current records began, falling 0.5 percentage points to 3.7 per cent in February as the State economy rebounds following the Omicron outbreak.
 
NSW recorded the lowest unemployment rate among the states and now sits well below the national unemployment rate of 4 per cent, according to the latest figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics today.
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said the Labour Force data highlighted the effectiveness of the NSW Government’s targeted support of the State’s economy throughout the pandemic.
 
“These record-breaking unemployment numbers are a direct result of the NSW Government’s handling of the economy throughout successive COVID-19 waves, and our effective recovery strategy,” Mr Kean said.
 
“The unemployment rate is at a record low, more people are re-entering the workforce and there’s been a boost in hours worked across the State.”
 
ABS data showed NSW’s lowest unemployment figure since monthly records began in February 1978, with employment increasing by around 57,880 jobs and monthly hours worked rising by a strong 14.3 per cent in February.
 
The NSW employment results were driven by a rise in full-time employment (+38,002) and an increase in part-time employment (+19,879).
 
The NSW participation rate also rose by 0.5 percentage points to 65.4 per cent in February. Employment in NSW is now 87,100 above its pre-COVID level.
 
“Today’s results paint a picture of a resilient economy roaring back to life, with our high vaccination rates and agile businesses enabling us to bounce back better into a strong recovery phase,” Mr Kean said.
 
“In the coming months I’ll be outlining the further work we’ll be doing to keep the economy strong through initiatives such as the Women’s Economic Opportunities Review, our record infrastructure spending, our science and technology investment agenda, and keeping energy prices low through the Energy Infrastructure Roadmap.”