Category: NSW News

Restrictions will be eased and the 2sqm rule reintroduced across the Greater Sydney region following updated health advice from the Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant.
The following measures will be effective from 12.01am Friday, 12 February for the Greater Sydney region including Wollongong, Central Coast and Blue Mountains:

• 1 person per 2sqm will apply at all venues, except for gyms. Weddings and funerals will still be subject to a 300 person cap.
• Masks will only be mandatory on public transport, but will strongly be encouraged in other indoor venues where social distancing is not possible.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said this is about striking the balance between keeping the economy going and boosting jobs whilst ensuring COVID-19 is kept under control.
“We want to continue to give the community and businesses the confidence to move forward, especially with the expansion of the 2sqm rule which will allow most venues to double their capacity,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“However, as we ease restrictions it is important we don’t let our guard down – the community needs to continue to play their role in being COVID-Safe and coming forward for testing with even the mildest of symptoms.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said restrictions could be eased thanks to the great work of the people of NSW who have followed social distancing guidelines and continued to get tested.
“It is vital people continue to maintain their social distance, come forward for testing, don’t go to work if they’re unwell and wear a mask where they cannot guarantee social distancing,” Mr Hazzard said.
Dr Kerry Chant said we cannot become complacent when it comes to COVID-19 despite there being no recent cases of community transmission.
“We need to continue to practice COVID-Safe behaviours and stay home and get tested if unwell,” Dr Chant said.
For the latest information and COVID-19 testing sites please visit:
www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

A strategy to unlock Sydney’s cultural and economic potential will be championed by Chair of the Night-Time Industries Association Michael Rodrigues who has been appointed as the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said Mr Rodrigues would bring the 24-Hour Economy strategy to life to make Sydney the best place to live, work and play that it can possibly be.
“Our tourism, hospitality and arts sectors have been hit hard by the pandemic, but now we have the opportunity to bring Sydney back better than ever,” Mr Ayres said.
“The Strategy includes a 24-hour Economy Acceleration Program, through which the Government will work with councils and industry to identify and activate unique and thriving economic hubs across Sydney,” Mr Ayres said.
“It will result in a network of activated 24-hour economy hubs across Sydney – each offering a distinct experience, and well connected by efficient transport options.
“This ‘Neon Grid’ of hubs across the city will represent Sydney’s diverse and vibrant night economy and we will collaborate with industry and councils to bring it to life, connecting consumers, creatives and entrepreneurs.
“Michael Rodrigues as the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner will spearhead the strategy and bring State and Local Governments and industry together to create safe and vibrant opportunities for people to enjoy the greatest city in the world.”
Mr Rodrigues said he was looking forward to getting down to business.
“I’m excited about the upcoming opportunities and to champion the 24-Hour Economy strategy as we deliver a nightlife that’ll sit alongside New York, London and Tokyo,” Mr Rodrigues said.
“As our city rebuilds from the COVID-19 pandemic, the 24-hour economy strategy is central to NSW’s economic and social recovery. So many industries have had a really tough 12 months, but we are seeing the green shoots of recovery across Sydney and NSW.”
The strategy will focus on driving investment while turbocharging job creation and night time business activity in the CBD and throughout Greater Sydney, by:

• Supporting more integrated planning and place-making within government to enable the 24-hour economy to thrive.
• Encouraging the diversification of night-time activities by supporting a wider variety of businesses at night.
• Nurturing industry and cultural development to help entrepreneurs thrive in the 24-hour economy.
• Exploring ways to enhance mobility and improve connectivity between 24-hour economy hubs through safe and reliable transport; and
• Changing the narrative to attract more local consumption, encourage healthy behaviours, and reinforce Sydney’s status as a global cultural capital.

Alongside his time with the Night Time Industries Association, Mr Rodrigues also co-founded Time Out Australia and has been its managing director for almost a decade. Mr Rodrigues will commence as Commissioner at the end of March.
For more information about the 24-Hour Economy Strategy, visit https://global.nsw.gov.au/24-hour-economy-strategy

Sydney’s nightlife will be revitalised and boosted, with the NSW Government set to remove the lockout laws in the Kings Cross entertainment precinct.
This move will help stimulate the local economy and boost jobs, while maintaining a focus on community safety.
The changes, part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan, bring Kings Cross in line with the Sydney CBD precinct where the restrictions were lifted 12 months ago.
The following changes will take effect from 8 March 2021:

• The 1.30am ‘lock out’ will be removed, so patrons can continue to enter venues like pubs, bars and nightclubs beyond that time;

 

• The standard 3am ‘last drinks’ time will increase to 3.30am;

 

• Blanket restrictions on certain drinks, shots, discounted cocktails and use of glass after midnight will be lifted; and

 

• Requirements for RSA marshals and CCTV will no longer apply.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said while the focus will remain on safety in Kings Cross, the changes will help boost jobs and revitalise a popular area of Sydney.
“Kings Cross has transformed considerably since these laws were introduced over six years ago,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The precinct is now well positioned to continue to evolve into a vibrant lifestyle and cultural destination with a diverse mix of small bars, live music venues and restaurants.”
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said these changes would help grow Sydney’s night-time economy and attract diverse businesses to the area.
“These measures will help breathe new life into the precinct and enhance Sydney’s reputation as a global city,” Mr Dominello said.
“The ID scanners system, which requires some venues to record patrons’ ID during busy times such as Friday and Saturday nights, will be retained in the Kings Cross precinct as an additional public safety measure.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the changes are key in helping Sydney to shine as a true 24 Hour city.
“Sydney is already an iconic international city and Australia’s number one tourism destination, it’s time to enhance our vibrant nightlife, arts and culture scenes as we bounce back from COVID-19,” Mr Ayres said.
“This is an important step towards implementing our 24-hour Economy Strategy to ensure Kings Cross flourishes into a vibrant, diverse, inclusive and safe precinct as our city powers ahead with confidence.”
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the new laws strike the right balance between supporting businesses and prioritising safety.
“NSW Police have done an amazing job maintaining public safety in the precinct, and the community can feel confident law and order will remain a top priority,” Mr Elliott said.
“Police will continue to have a strong presence in the area and I want to assure the community that the easing of these laws does not mean a return to a violent Kings Cross.”
The NSW Government will closely monitor the changes and any impacts and conduct a review in 12 months, as it progresses the implementation of its 24-hour Economy Strategy and engages with stakeholders like the Committee for Sydney and City of Sydney Council around a new vision for the precinct.
In 2019, NSW Parliament established a Joint Select Committee to examine regulations across Kings Cross and the CBD precinct.

A woman will face court after she was charged with allegedly committing nearly 80 fraudulent transactions amounting to over $650 000 while employed at an aged-care facility at Strathfield.
In August 2020 Auburn Police Area Command received information that a number of fraudulent transactions had occurred in relation to an employee of the Margaret Street facility between 2017 and 2020, and an investigation commenced.
Following inquiries, Auburn detectives attended a house in Australia Avenue, Sydney Olympic Park and arrested a 63-year-old woman yesterday (Monday 8 February 2021).
The woman was issued a future court attendance notice for 78 counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception.
She is due to appear in Burwood Local Court on Thursday 25 March 2021.

More than 50 young people leaving out-of-home care will soon move into a first-of-its-kind development in Sydney, providing secure housing and access to specialist services and support to help them break the cycle of disadvantage.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said Foyer Central would give young people leaving care the best possible start to adulthood as they undertake work, study or training.
“This landmark project will give many of our most vulnerable teenagers the chance to get back on track. Homelessness is a tragedy and it’s initiatives like Foyer Central and the access to secure housing and practical support they provide that can actually help break the cycle and change lives for the better,” Mr Perrottet said.
Foyer Central is based on the globally successful foyer model and will be targeted at young people aged 18 to 22 who have left out-of-home care.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said the development includes 53 self-contained units in close proximity to transport, shops, services and education institutions.
“Foyer Central is about unlocking opportunities for young people and enabling and empowering them to achieve their full potential in life,” Mr Ward said.
Services delivered through the project will be funded primarily through a Social Impact Bond. The bonds combine investment and expertise from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors to achieve specific social goals. Partners with the NSW Government in the project include SGCH, Uniting, Social Ventures Australia and the City of Sydney.
Uniting Executive Director Tracey Burton said a team of dedicated Youth Development Coaches will mentor and connect young people to education institutions, employment opportunities, health and wellbeing services and community initiatives.
“We want young people living at Foyer Central to feel proud of where they live, and that they can create the positive, diverse and dynamic environment they want. A space supported by talented, capable coaches providing 24/7 support,” Ms Burton said.
SGCH CEO Scott Langford said the property also includes 20 affordable units, managed by SGCH, for low-income workers such as childcare staff.
“Foyer Central brings together the capability, expertise and dedication of a range of partners with the common goal to change young lives through opportunity,” Mr Langford said.
For more information, visit www.foyercentral.org.au.

Additional dedicated cleaning squads have rolled out across CBD transport hubs, to help keep commuters COVID safe.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the roving teams are cleaning high touch points at five key locations and handing out masks to commuters.
“In addition to the cleaners on our services, we have now rolled out additional cleaning squads to keep stops, waiting areas and even bike racks clean to help stop the spread of COVID-19,” Mr Constance said.
“More than 1,000 touch points are cleaned each shift at Central, Town Hall, Wynyard, Circular Quay and Martin Place, and more than 92,000 masks have been handed out to customers since the squads first popped up during the Northern Beaches outbreak.
“The teams can be deployed quickly to areas where there has been a COVID-19 breakout or where a major event is taking place, like the SCG for the cricket.
“I’d like to thank all our frontline workers for keeping our network moving and our commuters who are wearing their masks while travelling on public transport.”
Transport for NSW Acting Deputy Secretary for Greater Sydney Howard Collins said the 1,200 extra summer services, introduced in early December, will continue until at least the end of March.
“The extra summer services will be extended to help commuters stay safe as they continue to return to the CBD. More than 4,500 extra services are now running across the network in response to COVID-19,” Mr Collins said.
“Don’t forget to wear your face mask, sit or stand on a green dot, maintain physical distancing and register your Opal card or check in using a QR code to help support the NSW Health tracing team.”
The roving cleaning teams are in addition to the cleaners on services which have carried out an additional 1.7 million hours of cleaning across the public transport network since March 2020.
Commuters are reminded that face masks are still mandatory on all modes of public transport and you may be fined $200 on the spot for not wearing one. Children aged 12 and under are exempt but are encouraged to wear masks where practicable.

Nine businesses in Sydney’s south-west have been fined for alleged breaches during a compliance check yesterday.
Last night (Saturday 6 February 2021), officers attached to Fairfield City Police Area Command conducted an operation targeting business premises suspected of not complying with the current COVID-19 NSW Health Orders.
A restaurant located on Canley Vale Road, Canley Vale, was issued a $5000 Penalty Infringement Notice for not comply with noticed direction in relation to 7/8/9 – COVID19 Corporation.
Another eight businesses in Fairfield and Canley Vale were each issued a $1000 Penalty Infringement Notice.
The two most common offences identified amongst all the venues was for failing to complete a COVID-19 Safety Plan and failing to have customers sign in via the Services New South Wales QR Application.
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.
Anyone with information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of COVID-19-related ministerial directions is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

More than 200 new and upgraded fire trucks and vehicles will be deployed to fire brigades across the State by July 2021, as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to our frontline firefighters.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said more than 340 fire trucks and vehicles are being built and upgraded for the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) and Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) following the devastating 2019/20 bushfires.
“This program is part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring our emergency services personnel and volunteers have the best possible vehicles and equipment when responding to emergencies across the State,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The RFS is working with 19 local businesses to build and upgrade vehicles, creating new jobs across the State including in the Central West, Riverina, Hunter, Mid North Coast, Sutherland Shire and Hawkesbury.”
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the unprecedented nature of the 2019/20 fire season resulted in a considerable number of the firefighting fleet suffering damage or total loss.
“Last year the NSW Government announced an additional $45 million investment to enhance our firefighting capability. This funding included $34.4 million to almost double the annual new appliance build, which will help protect life, property and support our emergency management personnel,” Mr Elliott said.
“As part of the NSW Government’s RFS fleet enhancement and refurbishment program 23 new and refurbished trucks have already been deployed to some of the most at risk areas across the state.”
NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) Commissioner Rob Rogers AFSM said the investment in the fleet program would ensure brigades are equipped to best protect their communities.
“Ensuring our members have the most modern equipment and resources to protect local communities has been, and will remain, a key priority,” Commissioner Rogers said.
“This program will enable brigades to continue their outstanding work and the updates and new technology will ensure our firefighters are safe while undertaking their important roles.”
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) received an additional $5.7 million for 10 new tankers to bolster their bush firefighting fleet.
FRNSW Commissioner Paul Baxter said the new equipment would help firefighters where it was needed most – on the frontlines.
“We stand with our NSW RFS colleagues in welcoming this new equipment so that our firefighters are as prepared as they can be to meet the constant threats posed by bushfires, other fires and emergencies across NSW,” Commissioner Baxter said.
“We remain prepared for anything, anywhere, anytime in protecting the NSW community and this new equipment will add to our preparedness.”

Small businesses that experienced hardship as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions on the Northern Beaches will soon have access to a grants program designed to help them cover unavoidable expenses.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government was committed to supporting businesses while keeping people and communities safe.
“The Northern Beaches community and businesses did an outstanding job in helping control the spread of the virus at a critical time and unfortunately that had a material impact on many businesses,” Mr Perrottet said.
“After almost 12 months we continue to battle the impacts of COVID, both in a health sense but also from an economic perspective and that is why we are providing targeted and temporary financial assistance to those impacted by the recent lockdown.”
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said a new funding program would provide for the roll out of $3,000 and $5,000 hardship grants to eligible Northern Beaches businesses.
“We know some businesses have been hit harder than others, which is why we are taking a tiered approach to these grants,” Mr Tudehope said.
“The first tier of $3,000 is for small businesses that have suffered at least a 30 per cent decline in turnover due to the Northern Beaches lockdown.
“The second tier of $5,000 is for small businesses that have suffered at least a 50 per cent decline in turnover.”
“The grants are designed to cover unavoidable costs for which no other government backing is available such as utilities, rent, financial or legal advice and other activities to support the operation of a business.”
Mr Tudehope thanked local businesses for their resilience and patience and for working with the Small Business Commissioner who undertook a report on the impacts of the restrictions on the Northern Beaches.
In considering the Commissioner’s report, the Government will be implementing the following measures in addition to the $3,000 and $5,000 grants:

• Promotion for the Northern Beaches: to promote local attractions and welcome visitors to the community.

o   Industry-specific information on public health restrictions: to assist small businesses impacted by Public Health Orders to better understand their obligations.
o   Improved access to existing support: including mental health resources for small business owners on the SafeWork website, Business Connect, and the Small Business Commission’s mediation services team.
o   Dine & Discover: Pilot of the program on the Northern Beaches
Minister for Health and Member for Wakehurst Brad Hazzard said while the restrictions had stopped the spread of COVID-19, they had also come at a time when many people would normally celebrate with friends and family.
“As Health Minister and a local I well understand the need for the restrictions but also the impacts on local businesses and residents,” Mr Hazzard said.
“I welcome the financial package which will assist local businesses who have had a tough time while they did what was necessary to help shut down local transmission on the beaches.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes said many businesses in the Northern Beaches were now starting the year behind the rest of the state.
“A lot of businesses on the Northern Beaches had their revenue poleaxed at a time they could least afford it – it was a tough time for those in in the northern part of the peninsula who had to endure a three week lock down,” Mr Stokes said.
“This package will definitely help ease the financial strain on those businesses most affected, particularly in the hospitality, lifestyle and retail sectors.”
Member for Manly James Griffin said the package would help cushion the impacts of the lockdown.
“Businesses in Manly would normally have welcomed tens of thousands of people from right across NSW over the Christmas and New Year period. The restrictions placed our local businesses under enormous pressure following what was a very difficult 2020,” Mr Griffin said.
“The NSW Government stands with our small businesses and it is hoped this package will help them cover unavoidable expenses and reduce the financial burden so many are facing right now.”
More information on the grants and how to apply will be made available on the Service NSW website in the coming weeks.
BACKGROUND
Eligibility
Tier One: $3,000 grant
Small businesses and not-for-profits that were subject to the Public Health (COVID-19 Northern Beaches) Order 2020 (‘the Northern Beaches Public Health Order’) will be eligible for a one-off $3,000 Northern Beaches Hardship Grant if they:

• Are a non-employing business or a business with fewer than 20 full-time equivalent staff (FTE);
• Have an Australian Business Number (ABN) registered in, or they can demonstrate they are physically located and primarily operating in the Northern Beaches Local Government Area (LGA);
• Experienced a decline in turnover of at least 30 per cent due to the Northern Beaches Public Health Order over a minimum two-week period from 19 December 2020 to 10 February 2021 compared to the same time last year;
• Have total Australian wages below the NSW Government 2020-21 payroll tax threshold of $1,200,000 as at 1 July 2020;
• Have an annual turnover of more than $75,000 as at 1 March 2020; and
• Had unavoidable business costs during the Northern Beaches lockdown (e.g rent), for which there is no other government support available.

Tier Two: $5,000 grant
Small businesses and not-for-profits that were subject to the Public Health (COVID-19 Northern Beaches) Order 2020 (‘the Northern Beaches Public Health Order’) will be eligible for a one-off $5,000 Northern Beaches Hardship Grant if they meet all the eligibility criteria for the $3,000 (tier one) grant, except they must:

• Have experienced a decline in turnover of at least 50 per cent due to the Northern Beaches Public Health Order over a minimum two-week period from 19 December 2020 to 10 February 2021 compared to the same time last year.

As Term 1 of the 2021 school year begins there are still 24 new schools the Liberals promised before the 2019 election which they have not built.
The new schools promised across NSW that the Liberals have failed to build are:

Shadow Minister for Education Prue Car said the failure to build schools was letting down families and a missed opportunity to create local jobs.
“Building schools is a key way we can create jobs across NSW. It puts kids in classrooms and keeps tradies in their jobs,” Ms Car said.
“But under the Liberals all we have are false promises, overcrowded schools and results at an all-time low. Liberals just can’t be trusted on education.”