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A record number of scholarships have been awarded to early childhood educators in NSW to boost the availability, accessibility, and quality of early learning and care.
 
More than 100 budding educators across the state will receive up to $20,000 each to support their study of a Bachelor-level Early Childhood Teaching qualification from 2022.
 
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the scholarship program is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to increase the number of early childhood teachers working in the sector in NSW.
 
“Quality early childhood education is incredibly important and having access to qualified teachers is an essential element for our services, communities and especially our youngest learners,” Ms Mitchell said.
 
“We know the past two years have been challenging for the Early Childhood Education sector, so it’s important we are providing support to build a highly qualified and sustainable workforce.
 
“This year, we have a record 114 scholars, including 25 Aboriginal scholars who will help nurture and celebrate First Nations perspectives and culture in early childhood education across the state.”
 
The scholarships are designed to meet the needs of children and families, including those from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living in regional and remote locations, and those working with children with disability and additional needs.
 
“We had so many quality applicants this year, with many already working in community preschools and long day care services. It’s great to be able to support these applicants to upgrade their qualifications to a four-year bachelor degree in early childhood teaching,” Ms Mitchell said.
 
“Scholarship recipients will deepen their understanding of early childhood environments, and gain additional skills and capabilities.
 
“I congratulate the scholars on their commitment to education and I wish them every success in their studies and future careers as qualified early childhood teachers.”
 
Further details about the scholarships are available on the department’s website 2021-22 Aboriginal Early Childhood Education Scholarships and Early Childhood Education Scholarships Program (nsw.gov.au)

A $50 accommodation voucher will be available from today as part of the NSW Government’s $250 million Stay NSW program.
 
Applications for the vouchers will be made available by Local Government Area in a staggered approach. Every community will have access to them by 3 March.
 
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the voucher initiative is a commitment to bolster the accommodation industry while getting people excited to travel in NSW.
 
“This is a win-win for NSW – the vouchers will give hard hit businesses much needed stimulus, while also encouraging residents to explore our great State,” Mr Dominello said.
 
“The Stay NSW program has been expanded and fast-tracked, so people can enjoy a staycation sooner. Whether it’s a quiet country inn, the family-run caravan park or a hotel in the Sydney CBD, every budget needs a boost this year.”
 
Mr Dominello said the state-wide rollout follows a successful pilot in the Sydney CBD.
 
“Applying is fast and simple via the Service NSW mobile app, through the Service NSW website or by calling 13 77 88 for assistance,” Mr Dominello said.
 
“People can pool the $50 Stay NSW Vouchers with relatives or mates, with no redemption limit. Apply as soon as you can so you can check-in somewhere special and check-out somewhere new.”
 
There are more than 1,200 Stay NSW businesses registered across the State but it is not too late for accommodation premises to get on board. Stay NSW Vouchers are valid until 9 October, 2022.
 
Participating businesses will be able to redeem vouchers seven days a week, including public holidays. Customers will be able to search for places to stay on the easy-to-use business finder.
 
For more information, including details on eligibility plus how and when to apply, visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/stay-nsw

The NSW Government has welcomed the first wave of international visitors following today’s reopening of national borders.
 
Around 5000 passengers across 27 flights will pass through Sydney International Airport today, arriving from USA, Japan, Singapore, Canada, New Zealand and Fiji.
 
Amid celebrations at Sydney International Airport, where arrivals were greeted with music and imagery from the Destination NSW Feel New tourism campaign, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the return of overseas visitors would boost tourism, investment and trade.
 
“Millions of people around the world dream of visiting Sydney and our regional areas, it’s great to see the planes return and their dreams coming true,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“We are investing more than $530 million into the sector as part of our tourism and events recovery package. This ensures visitors get to experience the very best of what NSW has to offer.”
 
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Minister for Tourism and Sport and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the timing could not be better for international visitors to return to NSW and be reinvigorated.
 
“NSW is the best place in the world to visit, study, invest and do business and late summer and early autumn is the perfect time to experience the unique outdoor and cultural lifestyle Sydney and NSW are famous for,” Mr Ayres said.
 
“We have an incredible calendar of world-class events lined up from Australian premieres of hit productions, to World Cup qualifiers and our internationally-renowned Vivid Sydney, on top of remarkable natural wonders that extend from spectacular coastlines, over breathtaking mountain ranges to stunning outback regions.
 
“For us to reach our ambition to be the premier visitor economy in the Asia Pacific, we need airlines to fly in and for locals and visitors to embrace our world class venues and hospitality, which is why we are investing $60 million to incentivise international airlines to re-commence flights to Sydney through our Aviation Attraction Fund.
 
“This all about showcasing NSW’s diverse and compelling destinations and experiences and I am delighted our tourism and hospitality operators are now able to extend the warm welcome they have been waiting to offer our overseas friends after two difficult years.”
 
Prior to COVID-19, NSW’s visitor economy was the largest in Australia, contributing $38 billion and supporting over 100,000 businesses and nearly 300,000 jobs.
 
All foreign visitors to Australia are required to provide proof that they are double-vaccinated with an approved COVID-19 vaccine.
 
Unvaccinated travellers are still required to apply for a travel exemption to come to Australia and undergo hotel quarantine for seven days if they are granted permission to enter the country.

COVID Smart settings in NSW schools have been revised, giving students the first taste of normal school life since the pandemic began two years ago.
 
Core COVID Smart measures will remain in place, including enhanced cleaning and maximising natural and mechanical ventilation in line with health advice.
 
From Monday 28 February:

• Cohorting requirements and activity restrictions will be relaxed – enabling students to engage and interact more freely across classes and year groups.
• Schools will be able to welcome more visitors onto school grounds, including parents, and will resume activities such as assemblies and school camps.
• Mask requirements will be lifted for high school students and staff.

From Monday, 7 March:

• Mask requirements will be lifted for primary school and early education staff.

 
Staff in Schools for Specific Purposes will continue to be required to wear masks based on health advice. 
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the relaxation of some measures while keeping others in place was a sensible approach that gives students, staff and parents more freedoms to enjoy school life while keeping the school community safe.
 
“It is time to afford our students and parents more normality. Everyone wants to get back to the school activities and events we all love,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“The return to school and the start of term has been a success, COVID transmission has reduced throughout the community, and while there will still be cases and bumps in schools it is time for our students to enjoy normal school life.”
 
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said this was the first time since the pandemic started two years ago that students have enjoyed this level of normality.
 
“We know transmission in schools is extremely low, and not a single school has closed since school returned despite the levels of community transmission,” Ms Mitchell said.
 
“Relaxing cohorting and restrictions on visitors will let more parents engage with their child’s school and allow students to participate in cross-year group activities, which is welcome news for both students and parents everywhere.
 
“The return to school, and now the return to school life, is successful because of the tremendous efforts and teamwork from all parents, staff and students. I thank all of our school communities for their support.”
 
COVID Smart settings will continue to be reviewed and updated, as necessary on health advice.

By popular demand, an additional 5,000 fee-free Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) courses are now up for grabs to help people get jobs in the hospitality industry.
 
Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens and Minister for Hospitality Kevin Anderson said thousands of people had taken up the opportunity to gain the free qualification courtesy of NSW Government funding, since it rolled out two weeks ago.
 
“These RSA courses have been more popular than happy hour at your local pub or club, and now we’re shouting a second round to help thousands more people get jobs,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“Whether you are a school-leaver or looking for a career change, now is the perfect time to gain your free qualification to enter the dynamic hospitality industry.”
 
The RSA courses are available through TAFE NSW and other registered training organisations, which will be delivered either online or face-to-face in less than a day.
 
People who have previously worked in the industry are also being encouraged to return to the sector. Anyone whose RSA competency card has expired within the past two years, or will expire before 30 June can complete a free online refresher course.
 
“The hospitality sector supports more than 300,000 jobs across NSW and it’s fantastic that so many people have already taken up the free RSA courses,” Mr Anderson said.
 
“We know staff shortages have been impacting the hospitality sector and that is why we have extended the free RSA courses to get people behind the bar, to serve the drinks and collect money for the till.”
 
Clubs NSW CEO Josh Landis said the shortage of workers has been a huge challenge for NSW clubs and welcomes the extension of the free RSA courses.
 
“We hope this initiative will encourage more people to consider a career in hospitality, which offers incredible opportunities for professional growth and development,” Mr Landis said.
 
For more information visit, https://skills.education.nsw.gov.au/rsa.

Local councils across West and South-West Sydney will be eligible for up to $400 million in funding as part of the first wave of the $5 billion WestInvest program.
 
Residents will also be invited to put forward ideas for community enhancing projects ahead of the WestInvest program launch at the end of March, as part of a “Have Your Say” campaign.
 
The new $5 billion WestInvest program is made possible by the Government’s successful WestConnex asset recycling strategy, which will help fund and deliver transformational projects that will enhance communities and help create jobs throughout West and South-West Sydney.
 
A total of $2 billion will be reserved for high priority community projects with an initial $400 million directly allocated to 15 Western Sydney Local Government Areas to advance shovel-ready local projects.
 
The initial Local Government tranche will deliver immediate community benefit, with each local council eligible for between $20 million and $35 million, depending on population size.
 
The remaining $1.6 billion of the $2 billion community project fund will be allocated through a competitive round of grants open to non-government organisations, including community groups, not for profits, Local Aboriginal Land Councils and local councils.
 
The $2 billion community project fund, including the Local Government tranche, is set to launch before the end of March for eight weeks, with successful projects expected to be determined by September. 
 
The NSW Government will be consulting with local councils and other key stakeholders on the draft guidelines over the coming weeks to ensure WestInvest delivers the greatest community benefit.
 
A further $3 billion will be made available to NSW Government agencies to deliver transformational projects that are ready to go and will benefit local communities. The community is being invited to put forward ideas to help ensure the best projects are funded through the “Have Your Say” campaign.
WestInvest funding will be provided to build new and improved facilities that will deliver community benefit and help turbocharge economic recovery across six areas:
 

• Parks, urban spaces and green space;
• Enhancing community infrastructure such as local sporting grounds;
• Modernising local schools;
• Creating and enhancing arts and cultural facilities;
• Revitalising high-streets;
• Clearing local traffic.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the landmark program would have the twin benefits of delivering new infrastructure and supporting jobs in one of the youngest, fastest growing and most diverse regions in the nation.

“West and South-West Sydney are already incredible places to live, and this program will secure a brighter future for families and residents by helping build new and improved facilities,” Mr Perrottet said.

“We want people to love living locally, and this investment will deliver improved facilities, more open spaces, convenient services and stimulate the economy.

“This unprecedented boost will capitalise on the major investments we have made in critical projects, such as Metro West and Western Sydney Aerotropolis, to transform Western Sydney.”

Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the area was emerging strongly from the pandemic and WestInvest would help take the pivotal region to a new level.

“Western Sydney is one of the most diverse and dynamic economic centres in the world and WestInvest will support the region’s growth to make residents’ lives here truly exceptional,” Mr Ayres said.

“Our communities here are a rich mix, with a huge cross-section of cultures and people from all walks of life, and the programs funded through WestInvest will reflect and enhance that diversity.

“The pandemic made it clear where we need to do more to improve liveability in our communities and deliver better local facilities and I am excited to see work already underway to turn WestInvest ideas into reality.”

Treasurer Matt Kean said the WestInvest program would be rolled out as rapidly as possible to ensure West and South-West Sydney communities could see benefits quickly. 

“This is a well-thought out, planned and transparent investment program that will move quickly to ensure the people of West and South-West Sydney see real change, really soon,” Mr Kean said.

“This is about funding transformational projects that everyone will benefit from every day – it’s about revitalised high streets, improved parks, new sporting fields, more pools, better local traffic flow and active transport links and much more.”

Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman said the Government is strongly supporting locally-led solutions to improve LGAs and communities.

“This major investment by the NSW Government will bring together our local councils and their communities to develop and improve targeted and significant local infrastructure projects,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

“I encourage everyone in the LGAs to submit suggestions. We want to support our rich and diverse communities in West and South-West Sydney in ways they want and need.”

The 15 Local Government Areas eligible for support through WestInvest are:

The $5 billion Westinvest Fund is broken down as follows:

• $3 billion for NSW Government agencies to deliver transformational projects;
• $2 billion for high priority community projects;
  • $1.6 billion allocated to community groups, non-government organisations and local councils;
  • $400m allocated directly to the 15 local councils.

 
The allocation of all $5 billion will be informed by the community “Have Your Say” process.
 
For more information visit nsw.gov.au/westinvest

More than $700 million in container refunds have now been earned by NSW residents through Return and Earn as the State reaches the 7 billion drink container mark.

Environment Minister James Griffin said Return and Earn has well and truly become part of life in New South Wales with 78 per cent of adults having participated and two-thirds of participants doing so once a month or more.

“Return and Earn is a triumph because it hits that sweet spot of improving our environment and delivering direct economic wins to the community,” Mr Griffin said.

“Along the way, the Return and Earn network has achieved a 52 per cent reduction in the volume of drink container litter in NSW and delivered more than 625,000 tonnes in materials recycled.”

“Not only is it having a measurable environmental impact with two in every three containers supplied in NSW redeemed through the scheme for recycling, Return and Earn has also become a stalwart of community fundraising activities in NSW.

“More than $30 million has already been raised for charities such as PCYC NSW, the Starlight Foundation and community groups via donations and fees since the scheme started.

“It’s encouraging that thousands of schools, community groups, charities and sporting clubs are making Return and Earn the new ‘sausage sizzle’, helping raise much needed funds for their own projects and causes.

“Return and Earn is an inspiring example of how small changes to our routine can have a significant collective impact.”

Return and Earn is a partnership between the NSW Government, scheme coordinator Exchange for Change and network operator TOMRA Cleanaway. Launched in December 2017 it has become the state’s largest litter initiative.

More information on Return and Earn is available at www.returnandearn.org.au.