Category: NSW News

Communities in southern NSW will have easier access to hundreds of NSW Government services and more than 70 cost of living savings, with the third one-stop shop Service NSW bus hitting the road.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the new bus delivers on a promise and will have a dedicated southern NSW route, with 25 towns – including Bundanoon, Braidwood, Boorowa, Gundegai and Batlow – to be visited around every eight weeks.
“Having Service NSW available on wheels will provide added convenience and hip pocket relief to southern NSW families, many of whom are devastated by drought,” Mr Dominello said.
“This bus will take Service NSW to the people, saving them not only time, but also money. It will perform the same transactions available at most centres, such as getting a birth certificate, Seniors Card, and renewing vehicle registration, as well as Driver Knowledge Tests and on the spot cost of living appointments.
“The two existing buses have covered almost 40,000 kilometres and completed around 2,500 transactions, saving customers in regional and remote areas a combined 150 hours in travel time. About 300 customers have collectively saved $132,000, with an average saving of $540.”
The bus will roll through towns with advanced notice, so locals will know when to expect a visit and what documentation is required to perform their transaction. They will also be called out in times of emergency such as natural disasters.
The fourth Service NSW bus is expected to be rolled out before the end of the year.
Further information on the bus route is available at www.service.nsw.gov.au/service-centre/mobile-service-centre-southern-nsw-locations

The NSW Government will introduce laws to crack down on illegal firearm manufacturers, including those who supply the firearm parts or allow their premises to be used to manufacture weapons.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the new offences will apply to anyone who ‘takes part’ in the illegal manufacture of firearms, similar to laws in place for taking part in the supply or manufacture of illicit drugs.
“There is a gap in the law where people that are involved in the process of manufacturing an illegal firearm are not captured under present laws, and this is something that must be rectified,” Mr Elliott said.
“As far as I am concerned, if someone plays any part in producing an illegal firearm then they should face the full force of the law. We know that our enhancements to Firearms Prohibition Orders have been extremely successful, but we also need to stay ahead of the curve in ensuring we combat illegal firearm manufacturing.”
The legislation will target:

• Assemblage of parts in the illegal manufacture of firearms;
• The acquisition, possession, use or supply of equipment, electronics (including digital blueprints or plans) components or materials;
• Financing the illegal manufacture of firearms;
• Participating in the illegal manufacture of firearms;
• Providing premises used in the illegal manufacturing process; and
• The manufacture of other prohibited weapons such as flick knives, zombie knives, flame throwers, kung fu sticks, knuckle-dusters, slingshots and mines.

It will also ensure the maximum penalty for illegal manufacturing will be 20 years. The legislation would not apply to law abiding firearm dealers or authorised commercial enterprises that are permitted to manufacture firearms.
The NSW Government will introduce a bill to Parliament early next year.

Connecting one of the missing links in Sydney’s motorway network is a step closer to delivering benefits to the residents and businesses of Sydney’s south and the Illawarra.
From tomorrow, companies vying to build the underground motorway from Arncliffe to Kogarah, now known as M6 Stage 1, can express their interest in a project expected to create 5,300 jobs throughout its life.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the M6 Stage 1 would make journeys easier and safer by avoiding roads such as President Avenue and The Grand Parade – and save motorists up to 15 minutes in traffic.
“Once complete, the new M6 will provide significant time travel savings for Sydney’s south and the Illawarra. More than 2,000 trucks a day will be removed from local streets and 23 sets of traffic lights bypassed,” Ms Berejiklian said.
The M6 Stage 1, previously known as the F6 Extension, includes four kilometre twin tunnels between the new M5 Motorway at Arncliffe and President Avenue at Kogarah.
Roads Minister Andrew Constance said the M6 Stage 1 would provide relief for  motorists around Kogarah and Brighton-le-Sands.
“That’s why we are pleased to be moving forward with this congestion-busting infrastructure which will help get commuters home with their families sooner and spend less time stuck in traffic,” Mr Constance said.
Travel-time savings during the morning peak (when used with other motorway connections) include:

• Kogarah to ANZAC Bridge – up to 15 mins
• Miranda to Macquarie Park – up to 15 mins
• Kogarah to South Sydney – up to 13 mins
• Taren Point to Mascot – up to 12 mins
• Kogarah to Sydney CBD – up to 8 mins

It is expected that a contract will be awarded in December 2020, construction will begin by early 2022 and open to motorists by the end of 2025.

Explorers are being encouraged to search new areas of the state for both traditional and high-tech metal deposits thanks to $6 million in grants from the NSW Government to attract new investment into regional NSW.
Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Resources John Barilaro said the third funding round of the New Frontiers Cooperative Drilling program will reimburse successful applicants for up to 50 per cent of their per metre drilling costs up to a maximum of $200,000.
Speaking at the sixth annual International Mining and Resources Conference in Melbourne today, Mr Barilaro announced a $2 million funding boost, on top of $4 million allocated under two previous rounds of the program.
“We’ve already seen the benefits from previous rounds of this fund, with the first Cooperative Drilling hole in a project near Broken Hill striking high-grade platinum group metals and leading to a $5 million joint venture investment,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Our goal is to make NSW the number one state for new mineral exploration and resources investment across the nation, and we’re doing that by providing greater support for explorers and investors, and providing greater certainty for the mining sector.”
The NSW Government has just completed the largest-ever aerial electromagnetic (AEM) survey by area in NSW history, with researchers looking for clues for new copper, gold and zinc deposits, and groundwater, over more than 19,000 km² in the Greater Cobar region.
“A vast array of metals are used worldwide to manufacture high-tech products such as smartphones, satellite components and pacemakers, as well as renewable energy technologies including wind turbines and the batteries in hybrid and electric cars,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Global demand for metals is growing strongly and we want to ensure that the people of NSW, especially the NSW Central West, have every chance to capitalise on that demand, with the exploration for new mineral deposits and groundwater sources generating jobs, attracting investment and bringing economic and social benefits to local communities.”
Data from the AEM survey will be available to the public in the first quarter of 2020, adding to a range of other detailed maps and geological information already available from the Resources and Geoscience website.
Mr Barilaro also launched the NSW Government’s new Online Minerals Prospectus, another key deliverable of the NSW Minerals Strategy.
“This dynamic online portal acts as a one-stop shop for explorers, project developers and mining investors, giving them the tools and guidance they need to tap into the minerals and business potential of NSW, especially regional NSW,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Mineral exploration is a high-risk investment with long life cycles that can exceed 20 years, but NSW offers the conditions for success and the NSW Government strongly supports our minerals industry and the responsible development of our mineral resources into the future.”
“Mining makes a significant contribution to the NSW economy and provides a wide variety of benefits to communities across regional NSW, including employment, with the industry supporting more than 29,000 direct and 115,000 indirect jobs.”
For more information on the Cooperative Drilling Program visit www.resourcesandgeoscience.nsw.gov.au/cooperative-drilling
View the Online Minerals Prospectus at www.resourcesandgeoscience.nsw.gov.au/investors/online-prospectus

CONSTRUCTION OF THE WESTERN SYDNEY METRO TO START NEXT YEAR
Construction will soon begin on the Western Sydney Metro, with seven station locations confirmed – a project that will slash travel times between Parramatta and the Sydney CBD down to around 20 minutes.
The locations of seven proposed Metro stations have been confirmed at Westmead, Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park, North Strathfield, Burwood North, Five Dock and the Bays Precinct.
Western Sydney Metro will more than double the existing rail capacity between Greater Parramatta and the Sydney CBD and slash travel times between Parramatta and the Sydney CBD to around 20 minutes
The project is also anticipated to create approximately 10,000 direct and 70,000 indirect jobs.
BACK TO BASICS: STUDENTS TO FOCUS ON MATHS, ENGLISH AND SCIENCE
The NSW school curriculum is set for its first major shakeup in over a generation, with a renewed focus on maths, English and science, following the release of the interim curriculum review.
“The NSW Government strongly supports a back to basics approach,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Students need to have strong foundations in maths, English and science to be prepared for the jobs of the future and for attaining lifelong skills.”
This is the first review of the curriculum to be done in 30 years. Students need to be equipped with strong literacy and numeracy foundations to succeed in the 21^st Century.
MATHS TO BE COMPULSORY FOR STUDENTS
Maths will be compulsory for all students in the revised NSW curriculum to ensure students are prepared for the jobs of the future.
NSW Government is working to make maths compulsory from Kindergarten to Year 12 to ensure students have the numeracy skills required to succeed in today’s society.
Earlier this week the interim report into the NSW Curriculum Review was released signalling the start of the biggest shakeup to the NSW curriculum in over 30 years.
NEW CURRICULUM MAKING IT EASIER FOR STUDENTS TO TAKE UP A TRADE
School leavers will benefit from an accelerated pathway from Year 12 to TAFE NSW with the NSW Government announcing a new program to incentivise study at TAFE. The program will make it more attractive for high school students to take up a trade or apprenticeship by allowing students to receive recognition for what they have already learnt at school.
RAISING THE STANDARDS OF MATHS TEACHING IN NSW 
People wanting to teach maths in NSW primary schools will need to have achieved at least a Band 4 or equivalent in Maths for the HSC Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell.
From 2021, students sitting the HSC will need to achieve at least a Band 4 in maths to become a primary school teacher in NSW.
NSW GOVERNMENT PROVIDES CERTAINTY FOR MINING INVESTMENT
The NSW Government will introduce a package of measures to prevent the regulation of overseas, or scope-three, greenhouse gas emissions in local mining approvals.
The proposed legislation will clarify the concerns around the export of coal after a recent decision by the Independent Planning Commission to impose a scope-three emissions condition on its approval of the United Wambo coal project.
The mining sector is a major employer in regional NSW, driving investment opportunities and job creation and the Government’s changes deliver certainty for mining companies and investors across the State.
These changes will help restore NSW law and policy to the situation that existed prior to the Rocky Hill decision and will provide the mining sector with greater certainty
MORE NSW HOUSEHOLDS TO BENEFIT FROM SOLAR
Up to 3,000 low income households in five areas will be offered a free rooftop solar system and installation worth $4,000 in a NSW Government funded trial that will also shave more than $300 a year off their energy bills.
The NSW Government has committed $15 million to reduce the impact of high energy prices, particularly for vulnerable low-income households.
STRONG FOUNDATIONS SET FOR BUILDING REFORM
The NSW Government continues to deliver on its promised suite of reforms to the building and construction industry, with the introduction of the Design and Building Practitioners Bill 2019 to the NSW Parliament.
The Bill outlines key accountabilities of design and building practitioners for the first time, and aims to improve the quality and integrity of vital design documentation, relied upon by construction professionals and directly addresses the key recommendations of the Building Confidence Report.
NEW BUS CONTRACTS TO DRIVE IMPROVED SERVICES
Bus customers will receive additional services and innovative on demand options under new contracts to lift the standard of transport across Sydney.
The NSW Government will invite the world’s leading public transport operators, Australian and international, to bid for contracts for 13 of Sydney’s bus contract regions over the next three years.
The NSW Government will continue to:

• own State Transit buses and all other assets such as depots,
• regulate timetables, safety, and service priorities, and
• set fares as they are today, under the Opal system.

HITACHI: FIRST TO MOVE FROM MOU TO TENANT
One of the world’s largest companies – the Japanese conglomerate Hitachi – has signed up to be the first tenant at the Aerotropolis, with a collaboration and research centre that will generate hi-tech jobs.
The centre, based on Hitachi’s successful Kyoso-no-mori facility in Japan, will promote collaborative creation-style research between business, academics and government.
Ms Berejiklian said the ‘Kyoso’ centre would bring Hitachi’s successful ‘Social Innovation Business’ concept to Western Sydney, and was an important step towards ensuring the new Aerotropolis delivers on its promise to be a hub for innovation, research and development.

The Morrison and Berejiklian Governments are delivering reliable and affordable energy, making the New South Wales-Queensland Interconnector (QNI) happen.
The Commonwealth and New South Wales Governments will jointly underwrite up to $102 million of the QNI upgrade to ensure the security of electricity in NSW.
This will allow TransGrid, the network transmission service provider for NSW, to fast track critical early works for QNI ahead of the final regulatory determination of the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the decision to underwrite QNI will unlock important transmission infrastructure and back the future of the New South Wales energy grid.
“This is about putting downward pressure on wholesale prices to make sure businesses and households have access to reliable and affordable power.
“Industry needs certainty. They need to know their electricity won’t cut out, and their power bill won’t suddenly double. You can’t run a business like that, and you can’t employ people.
“That’s why we are underwriting this interconnector. It’s a practical step to make sure it happens, and it happens quickly,” said the Prime Minister.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the NSW Government is committed to providing reliable and affordable electricity to the people of NSW.
“The QNI upgrade will ease cost of living pressures for people across NSW, providing reliable and affordable power to households and businesses,” Ms Berejiklian said.  “Last year, the NSW Government announced its Transmission Infrastructure Strategy which outlined our commitment to accelerate the delivery of key interconnector projects, including the QNI.”
Mr Taylor said the support will put downward pressure on wholesale prices and deliver essential transmission for the NSW industries and jobs that rely on affordable, reliable energy.
“The QNI upgrade will facilitate greater competition between generators in the electricity market, helping to reduce wholesale prices,” said Mr Taylor.
“This is great news for the energy-intensive industries, and the jobs and regional economies that rely on them. With wholesale prices making up around a third of an average retail electricity bill, this is will also deliver price relief for households and small businesses.
“Along with the Victoria-New South Wales Interconnector (VNI), this will strengthen the backbone of the National Electricity Market, reduce network bottlenecks and make the energy market more efficient.”
Mr Kean said the new agreement with the Australian Government and TransGrid is the most cost-effective option for the people of New South Wales up to and after the closure of the Liddell power station in April 2023.
“Fast tracking QNI is just one of the ways we’re delivering on our commitment to keep the lights on and to keep power costs down as the energy market transitions,” Mr Kean said.
This program compliments work that TransGrid will progress on the VNI – which will further increase competition as well as removing constraints that prevent generation from getting to where it’s needed.
The Commonwealth Government will share the underwriting liability with New South Wales through a 50/50 split.
The Morrison and Berejiklian Governments are working closely as part of the Liddell Taskforce to mitigate other potential supply risks from the closure of Liddell.
The NSW–Queensland transmission interconnector was declared a high-priority project under the Australian Energy Market Operator’s Integrated System Plan. Through this joint agreement, upgrades to QNI will be brought forward to late 2021, delivering an extra 190 MW of capacity into NSW during peak demand periods.
Regulatory approval processes for QNI are already well progressed due to the New South Wales Government’s Transmission Infrastructure Strategy, with further action needed to ensure QNI is fully operational by the summer of 2022–23.

Sydneysiders keen to help drought-stricken towns can easily buy Christmas presents and produce direct from regional retailers, with the help of a new NSW Government campaign that connects city shoppers with rural sellers.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro, Minister for Small Business Damien Tudehope, renowned chef Matt Moran and the founders of online communities #BuyFromTheBush and #OneDayCloserToRain today attended the launch of the NSW Government’s Buy Regional campaign at the Sydney Fish Markets.
Mr Barilaro said Buy Regional is an online hub that showcases regional shops and sellers together in one place, to make it easy for shoppers to find the perfect Christmas gift and support regional NSW.
“Everywhere I go people tell me about the images they’ve seen and the stories they’ve heard of how drought is affecting people in the bush and that they want to do something to help, but they’re not sure how,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Every dollar you spend with a regional retailer or producer helps keep that small business afloat, supports jobs in that town and gets money flowing through the local economy, which is exactly what is needed while we wait for the drought to break.
“Regional businesses can participate in the Buy Regional hub and social media network for free by simply registering online,” he said.
The hub already features businesses from some of the hardest hit areas of the state, including Broken Hill, Coonamble, Inverell and White Cliffs.
Mr Tudehope said the Buy Regional hub is divided into six categories, Wine, Fashion, Food, Gifts for Kids, Art & Design, and Christmas hampers, to help shoppers easily find gifts for that special someone.
“I’ve heard loud and clear what regional small businesses struggling through the drought have had to say, that there are fewer walk-in customers, that margins are tighter and that owners are under enormous pressure,” Mr Tudehope said.
“The quality and variety of products available from regional NSW retailers remains world class and the Buy Regional campaign will directly connect shoppers in cities wanting to buy, with businesses in the bush that have goods to sell,” he said.
#BuyFromTheBush founder Grace Brennan said she turned to social media to help businesses find new customers outside of their drought stricken communities and was amazed when the number of followers skyrocketed from zero to 26,000 in eight days.
“This all started as a hashtag on social media but it’s become so powerful because it’s a simple way for people in the city who want to spend their money in the bush to see beautiful things they like and buy them,” Ms Brennan said.
“Not everyone has an online presence but businesses are thinking outside the box. Just the other day I walked in on a business where the shopkeeper was showing dresses to a customer on a video call and she was picking out what she wanted.
“It just shows that there are so many people out there who want to help and it’s incredible that in such a short space of time that so many regional businesses are making connections with shoppers in the city and some have even sold out of stock.”
Facebook group #OneDayCloserToRain is connecting people on the land who are struggling with drought, providing a life line for those who need to share their stories.
The group has launched a marketplace to help regional people create income streams by selling their locally produced arts and design work to city people keen to help.
As well as buying gifts from regional retailers, Mr Barilaro encouraged Sydneysiders planning festive get togethers and Christmas Day feasts to consider buying meat, produce and hampers from regional NSW.
“Favour the flavour of regional NSW and ask your Sydney butcher or greengrocer for meat, poultry and produce provided by NSW farmers or check out the Buy Regional hub for honey, preserves, veg, meat or even fully-stocked hampers, all sourced from our regions,” Mr Barilaro said.
#Thankful4Farmers ambassador Matt Moran said in lieu of drought breaking rain, farmers across regional NSW need the support of the grocery buying public.
“As a fourth generation farmer I know firsthand the blood, sweat and tears that goes into producing our food during times of drought and every product purchased will show our farming and rural communities how much they are valued ,” Mr Moran said.
Mr Barilaro thanked the founders and supporters of all the online entrepreneurs helping connect regional businesses to city shoppers, along with organisations that are providing support on top of the NSW Government’s drought package.
“Charities and volunteers are also doing great work, organisations like Buy A Bale and Foodbank NSW which is providing more than 15,000 hampers to farming communities and I thank them for their kindness and generosity,” Mr Barilaro said.
“To date, more than $988 million from the NSW Government’s $1.8 billion Emergency Drought Relief Package has been spent and we have committed a further $988 million to build 175 water infrastructure projects under the Safe and Secure Water program.”
The Buy Regional for Christmas hub is at: www.nsw.gov.au/buyregional

Groundbreaking new rules will give the NSW Government the power to claw back excessive insurer profits from Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance and return the money to motorists through cheaper Green Slips.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said insurer profits will be capped at 10 per cent by the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA), keeping costs to motorists down while also encouraging the industry to be more innovative.
The new CTP scheme gave Government the authority to eliminate super profits, and these Australian first rules provide the policy framework to achieve that objective.
“Under the old CTP scheme, insurer profits were in excess of 30 per cent and resulted in motorists paying some of the highest premiums in the country,” Mr Dominello said.
“Those days are over and the sun has completely set on insurer super profits. The new scheme is fairer and more affordable, with motorists paying $490 on average for their Green Slips – the most affordable since 2011.
“We have delivered on a promise and these rules and are a big win for motorists who can have confidence that the Government will crackdown on excessive profits.”
Based on current premiums, for every one per cent of excess profit recovered from insurers, more than $15 million will be returned to NSW vehicle owners through lower Green Slip prices.
Insurers with approved innovation programs will be able to retain an additional three per cent profit. This gives a strong incentive for them to enhance injury prevention and help people return to health, while ensuring premiums do not increase.
SIRA will monitor insurer profits on a yearly basis and claw back any profits when claims for more complex and serious injuries are resolved.
The new rules are already applicable. Further information is available at www.sira.nsw.gov.au

School leavers will benefit from an accelerated pathway from Year 12 to TAFE NSW with the NSW Government announcing a new program to incentivise study at TAFE.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said the program will to make it more attractive for high school students to take up a trade or apprenticeship by allowing students to receive recognition for what they have already learnt at school.
Today’s announcement follows the Government’s release of the interim curriculum review which indicated there needs to be greater focus on embedding trade education within senior years of the curriculum. The review also noted the need for greater collaboration between schools, vocational education providers, universities and industry.
“We are focused on preparing young people for the jobs of the future,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This announcement will allow school leavers to build skills across emerging industries such as advanced manufacturing, technology and engineering.
“We want universities and VET to be thought of in the same sentence for young people looking to prepare themselves for the high value jobs of the future.”
Mr Lee said that around a quarter of students who start a bachelor degree but drop out of university could be better suited to attending TAFE.
“We are incentivising high-achieving HSC students into our vocational education sector by giving them a head-start at TAFE NSW,” Mr Lee said.
“We will do this by mapping HSC units to vocational competencies and allowing eligible students to proceed straight to assessments.
“Educational research identifies that some students are feeling pressured to go to university, regardless of whether it’s the best option for their future careers.”
HSC subjects that could qualify for these new TAFE pathways include mathematics, engineering studies, industrial technology and, software design and development.

One of the world’s largest companies – the Japanese conglomerate Hitachi – has signed up to be the first tenant at the Aerotropolis, with a collaboration and research centre that will generate hi-tech jobs.
The centre, based on Hitachi’s successful Kyoso-no-mori facility in Japan, will promote collaborative creation-style research between business, academics and government.
It will create more than 85 advanced technology jobs in Western Sydney, in fields such as data analytics, artificial intelligence and other technologies.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian made the announcement at Parliament House with Dr Norihiro Suzuki, Vice President and Executive Officer, CTO and Mr Hideki Osumi, General Manager of Smart Digital Solution Business Development Division, and General Manager of Smart Life Business Management Division, from Hitachi Ltd.
Ms Berejiklian said the ‘Kyoso’ centre would bring Hitachi’s successful ‘Social Innovation Business’ concept to Western Sydney, and was an important step towards ensuring the new Aerotropolis delivers on its promise to be a hub for innovation, research and development.
“Their presence at the Aerotropolis will attract the brightest minds and the best in business to the region – a great opportunity for economic development and job creation into the future,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said this  initiative will create opportunities for Western Sydney to lead on solutions to social, economic and environmental challenges in NSW and abroad.
“Hitachi have been on board with our Government’s ambitious Aerotropolis vision from the start. It is exciting that Hitachi is exploring advanced manufacturing and digital research and development in the Western Parkland City,” Mr Ayres said.
Dr Suzuki said Hitachi’s vision was to investigate challenges facing society, customers and stakeholders and to work together to identify ways to resolve the issues.
“It means we can attract the brightest minds and the best in business to the region: a great opportunity for economic development and job creation into the future.”
“Hitachi looks forward to being a founding tenant of the new smart city and will continue to work with the Western City & Aerotropolis Authority to contribute to the planning and design of the Advanced Manufacturing and Research Precinct,” Dr Suzuki said.
“By drawing on vast experience and technology in social infrastructure and information technology, Hitachi works to provide the best outcomes and help improve customers’ economic, social and environmental value. Hitachi hopes to accelerate Kyoso-style collaborative creation in Western Sydney.”
Construction on the Kyoso centre is expected to begin in late 2022. To date, the NSW Government has signed 17 MOUs with national and international Foundation Partners in the Aerotropolis, with more commercial agreements expected to be signed over the coming months.