Author: admin

The State Government’s popular Dine & Discover NSW program has closed with almost $1 billion in direct spend injected into the economy during the 16-month lifespan of the program, which ended with a record-breaking final week.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said about 23,642,000 vouchers had been redeemed by customers since March 2021, with more than 1.1 million redemptions on the final day.

“The program has been a phenomenal success, with close to 72 per cent of vouchers redeemed across 16,736 NSW businesses,” Mr Dominello said.

“The vouchers have provided many businesses with a financial lifeline so they could survive and transition to a post-covid economy that is going from strength to strength every day.

“More than 5.5 million adults, which is about nine out of ten eligible adults, registered for the program, with the average customer spending almost $42 per voucher.

“I would like to thank all participating businesses for their support of the program.”

Redemption uptake was strong with 95.2 per cent of users cashing in at least one voucher, 67.3 per cent redeeming at least four and 38.9 per cent scanning all six.

Mr Dominello said there are still more than 70 ways for households to save and boost their budgets, with information available via Service NSW.

“Families will continue to receive hip pocket relief with Parents NSW Vouchers and Stay NSW Vouchers available until 9 October 2022,” Mr Dominello said.

For more information visit Savings Finder at https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/savings-finder

A dedicated Aboriginal Cultural Space will be established at the Museum of Sydney, the site of First Government House in NSW. 

The cultural space will feature voices, significant stories, truths and histories of Aboriginal culture and people.   

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the initiative is part of the NSW Government’s broader commitment to delivering symbolic and practical outcomes for Aboriginal people and the wider community across the state. 

“The Aboriginal Cultural Space will be a place where the community can talk openly and constructively about history and culture,” Mr Perrottet said. 

“The decisions made and actions taken at the first Government House had profound and long-lasting impacts on Aboriginal people across this country and region. 

“This site will create a place for these stories and perspectives to be shared, while celebrating the enduring living culture of Aboriginal people.”    

The Aboriginal Cultural Space will be established progressively by Sydney Living Museums in partnership with the Aboriginal Languages Trust.   The development of the space will be informed by extensive consultation with the Aboriginal community, and a series of exhibitions, public programs and workshops that will take place on site.  

The site’s existing collection will be reinterpreted and contextualised to represent Aboriginal stories and perspectives until the entire space is dedicated to the culture and history of Aboriginal people. 

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and the Arts Ben Franklin said Australia should be a society that remembers, talks about and reconciles with its past.  

“Our history matters and it is filled with moments both dark and delightful. To acknowledge our past effectively, we need spaces where difficult truths and uncomfortable perspectives are free to be expressed,” Mr Franklin said. 

“History is happening now and we will work tirelessly with partners and community to bring into being a place that will engage with the past with a mind for the future.” 

Sydney Living Museums Head of First Nations Cultural Engagement Peter White said the space is a new model for cultural institutions, where Aboriginal people, places and perspectives are included. 

“Sydney Living Museums cares for 12 of the most historically significant places in the country, including a world-heritage site, and NSW State Archives has one of the world’s best archival collections, with a cultural worth beyond measure,” Mr White said. 

“Together, we hold unparalleled documentation of our past; what happened, where it happened, how it happened and why it happened. 

“There’s an expectation from community to bridge the gap between institutions and community and we want to do as much as we can to make what we have as accessible, honest and relevant as we can.” 

Aboriginal Languages Trust Chair Jason Behrendt said the partnership between the Aboriginal Languages Trust and Sydney Living Museums and State Archives and Records Authority is an important first step in building an enduring relationship based on mutual respect and understanding of our shared history. 

“For Aboriginal people, languages are part of our living culture. It is a fundamental part of identity – a physical, intellectual and spiritual connection to culture, country and community,” Mr Behrendt said. 

“This partnership will shine a spotlight on languages as living culture through expanding First Nations content, programming and services at First Government House in line with our statutory roles and strategic objectives.” 

Today’s announcement coincides with the start of NAIDOC Week – reflecting the theme ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!’. 

Netball NSW has made the immensely difficult decision to cancel the final day of the 2022 HART Junior State Titles as a result of severe weather in the Sydney area.

Competition for the three-day event got underway on Saturday morning with thousands descending on the Penrith District and Baulkham Hills Shire Netball Associations.

While play, for the most part, was able to be completed on Day 1 a decision was made to cancel games on day 2 (Sunday) with a risk assessment to take place on the morning of day 3 (Monday) to see if competition could start again.

A full assessment was carried out by staff, umpires and safety officers at both venues and unfortunately, due to a number of factors such as flooding, dangerous court conditions and issued weather warnings Netball NSW has no option but to cancel all of Monday’s play.    

Tim Fava, Executive General Manager of Community & Pathways at Netball NSW, said he understood the tough decision would cause huge disappointment.

“Having had the last two years affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, to see this year’s event fall victim to the weather after getting off to a great start is simply heartbreaking for everyone involved,” he said.

“Firstly, our thoughts are with all of the players, coaches, umpires, team managers and fans who put so much into their campaigns, many of whom have come from places as far away as Ballina and Wagga Wagga,” he said.

“It is a similar feeling of disappointment for the wonderful people at Penrith and Baulkham Hills who have been such brilliant hosts, all of our commercial partners – in particular Naming Right Partner HART Sport – and of course our staff who worked tirelessly to get us to this point.

“We had such energy and excitement at both venues on Saturday morning despite the rain, which has gotten much worse since then. While the rain is currently intermittent, the water impact on the courts and the surrounding areas makes it impossible to go ahead in a way that ensures the safety of all.” 

The Titles are a vital part of the Netball NSW pathway and showcase the strength of the game’s grassroots with representative players, umpires and officials from all over the state coming together to take part.

Penrith welcomed teams from Divisions 1 & 2 of 12U, 13U and 14U age groups, while Baulkham Hills hosted Divisions 3 & 4 of the categories.

Due to teams only being able to get one day of play in, no State Champions or Division winners will be crowned for 2022.

“Given the risks involved this was really our only option” Fava explained. “I would like to reiterate again how difficult it has been the come to this decision, but it is the correct one as the wellbeing and safety of our netball family must, and always will, come first.”

Free flu shots for NSW residents will be extended until 17 July amid concerns vaccination rates are still not where they should be.
 
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the latest data shows only one in four children aged under five has had a flu shot, while the figures are even lower for kids aged five to 15.
 
“It’s really worrying that just over 18 per cent of children and teenagers have had a flu jab and for kids aged six months to five years, the figure is 25 per cent,” Mr Hazzard said.
 
“These numbers are particularly concerning given in the last month, four times as many kids have been admitted to Sydney’s two children’s hospitals with flu than with COVID.”
 
Mr Hazzard urged families to use the school holidays to book in for a free flu shot.
 
“It only takes a few minutes to get a flu jab but that time could mean the difference between you or one of your loved ones ending up in ICU so please, book in today,” Mr Hazzard said.
 
The uptake of the influenza vaccine in adults is equally worrying, with less than 40 per cent of 50 to 65 year olds and only 64 per cent of those aged over 65 having a flu jab.
 
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant urged more people to come forward for their influenza vaccination to prevent unnecessary hospitalisations.
 
“More than 1,000 people presented to our EDs with flu-like illness last week and almost 165 were so unwell they were admitted, including very young children,” Dr Chant said.
 
“Please take advantage of the offer of the free vaccination to protect yourself against the flu this winter. There is plenty of supply and appointments available at GPs and pharmacies.”
 
The low uptake in Sydney’s west and south-west continues to be of concern, so too in parts of far northern NSW and the State’s central west.
 
For flu vaccine uptake figures by age group and local government area, click here

Motorists in the St George area of Sydney are set to benefit with major works starting on a $130 million upgrade to a key stretch of King Georges Road.

These works form part of the first stage of the $160 million King Georges Road upgrade, which is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments on a 50:50 basis and will improve safety, reduce congestion and cut travel times.

Work will commence between Stoney Creek Road at Beverly Hills and Forest Road at Hurstville to widen King Georges Road to three lanes in each direction separated by a concrete median.

This will deliver better traffic flow while also boosting safety.

Major side road access changes will be implemented as part of the work.

Right-hand turns in and out of George, Dudley, Clarence and Warwick streets will be removed, while a new dedicated right-turn bay will be installed on King Georges Road southbound into Percival Street to reduce the risk of collisions.

A longer dedicated right-turn lane will also be provided on King Georges Road northbound for motorists turning right onto Stoney Creek Road to reduce the frequency of stoppages around this busy intersection.

Work will be carried out from 8pm to 5am during the week, weather permitting.

The contract for major construction has been signed with Georgiou Group and completion is expected by late 2024.

For more information, visit nswroads.work/kgr.  

NSW motorists will save up to $750 a year on tolls with the new Toll Rebate Scheme coming into effect from today.
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said the new toll relief package will ease cost of living pressures by putting money back in the pockets of families and eligible small businesses especially in western, northwestern and southwestern Sydney.
 
“We are a Government that wants travelling on the State’s roads to be quicker and easier, as well as more affordable which is what this toll relief will provide,” Mr Kean said.
 
“For the first time, pensioners will be eligible for toll relief and the rebates will be paid quarterly to help ease cost of living pressures.”
 
Under this new scheme drivers will receive a 40 per cent rebate for tolls incurred once they spend $375 annually with the maximum benefit for each customer being $750.
 
Around 500,000 NSW motorists are expected to benefit from this new measure, which is more than double the number of road users receiving toll relief currently.
 
Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said this two-year scheme would support families and small businesses and help make regular use of toll roads more affordable while the Government reviews options to deliver a fair and equitable toll pricing system.
 
“Sydney’s state-of-the-art motorway network slashes travel times, eases congestion and creates safer and more reliable trips. We want motorists to get home to their loved ones faster, which our Motorways deliver,” Mrs Ward said.
 
“This Toll relief is across all toll roads, which means more money, in the pockets of more motorists, more often.”
 
Road users will still be able to access a rebate on their registration renewal up until 30 June 2023 for tolls incurred between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022.
 
For tolls incurred from 1 July 2022, customers will benefit from the new Toll Rebate Scheme and will receive their first rebate payment in early 2023, followed by quarterly payments thereafter.
 
For information visit: www.service.nsw.gov.au/new-toll-relief-scheme-faqs