16 News

The state’s vision for a world-class innovation and technology precinct is coming to life, with Tech Central’s Quantum Terminal welcoming its first tenants.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said supporting the growth of Australia’s most ambitious innovation centre was more important than ever before.
“With first-class researchers and entrepreneurs eager to collaborate and an innovation precinct ready to support jobs growth, NSW is in pole position to become a global leader in technology,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Tech Central is predicted to bring up to 25,000 jobs to NSW and will be a major player in accelerating our economic recovery and future-proofing our economy.”
Q-Ctrl, Sydney Quantum Academy and Quantum Brilliance are now in place in Sydney’s first centralised live collaboration space for researchers, developers, engineers and entrepreneurs – all working to advance quantum technology, high performance computing and artificial intelligence.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney and Minister for Trade and Industry Stuart Ayres said the Government was also focussed on helping businesses expand and enter their next phase of growth at Tech Central.
“Quantum Terminal along with the rest of Tech Central will form one of the most vibrant innovation corridors in Australia,” Mr Ayres said.
“Building on the opening of the Quantum Terminal, we’re also investing up to $21 million to prioritise affordable accommodation for scaleups. From December, businesses can apply for rebates on rental and fit-out costs of up to $600,000 a year through the Tech Central Scaleup Accommodation Rebate.”
The Tech Central Scaleup Hub, located in the heart of the precinct at 477 Pitt Street, will be operated by technology community Stone & Chalk providing 8,000 square metres of affordable and flexible workspace for high-growth technology scaleups.
Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello unveiled some of the digital tools that will power Tech Central’s innovation ecosystem, including the digital twin an online interactive tool on the Tech Central website, that allows people to explore the precinct and its surrounds – from businesses to bike lanes and bars.
“This is a modern government with a strong understanding of how to foster and harness technological and digital innovation for the good of our citizens and businesses,” Mr Dominello said.
“The US has one Silicon Valley, NSW is investing in them across the city.”
CEO of Tech Central Scaleup Hub operator Stone & Chalk Michael Bromley said the company was proud to be the partner of choice for the Government’s growth agenda.
“Through our second Hub in Sydney, we’ll be able to support domestic and international startups in their transition to becoming scaleups by providing vital access to the resources and infrastructure required for success,” Mr Bromley said.
Chair of the Tech Central Industry Advisory Group David Thodey said the opportunities for innovation and collaboration across the precinct were unrivalled.
“These facilities and support initiatives will help businesses both large and small, driving new opportunities for innovation and collaboration to build a sustainable and enduring world-class precinct.”

The NSW Government marked the construction of the M6 motorway project with a sod turning event in South Sydney today.
The M6 Stage 1 will link Kogarah with the M8, slashing travel times and bypassing up to 23 sets of traffic lights. The construction will also create up to 5,500 jobs.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the new tunnels would remove 10,000 cars a day from General Holmes Drive, returning local roads to local communities.
“Drivers will be able to get home safer and quicker but for many areas, removing vehicles from local roads will be life changing,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We know that taking Sydney from good to great isn’t only about building new destinations, it’s about unlocking free-flowing transport for everyone to enjoy everything this city has to offer.”
“It’s great news that major construction work is about to get underway on the M6, which will be crucial in connecting Sydney’s motorway network.
“Our economic recovery will also be bolstered by the up to 5,500 jobs this project will create.”
The M6 Stage 1 will deliver a 4km twin tunnel that connects the completed M8 to President Avenue at Kogarah.
Minister for Transport and Roads Rob Stokes said the M6 will provide motorists with better connectivity and more reliable trips to Sydney’s south.
“This project will help reduce traffic on General Homes Drive, which is another major artery, by about 10,000 vehicles a day when the project opens,” Mr Stokes said.
“We’re also incredibly pleased that all community benefits for this project will be delivered before Christmas this year, including two playgrounds, a war memorial and FIFA grade playing fields.
“This demonstrates our approach to delivering community benefits up front following extensive consultation shows great infrastructure really does deliver great places.”
The M6 Stage 1 is expected to open in 2025.
For more information visit: caportal.com.au/rms/m6

Modern and inclusive sporting facilities are the focus of a new NSW Government $200 million fund to encourage people across the state to enjoy the benefits of sport, regardless of their age, gender or ability, with applications now open.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund will invest in new or upgraded venues across the state with $100 million available in 2021/22 and a further $100 million in 2022/23.
“Community sport plays a vital role in getting our lives back on track and it’s great to see people returning to courts, ovals and pitches, to resume their sporting passions and get active again,” Mr Perrottet said.
Treasurer Matt Kean said the fund will provide more modern, inclusive and fit-for-purpose facilities across NSW.
“This $200 million funding boost will ensure even more people can enjoy the benefits of sport and recreation, while helping remove barriers to participation,” Mr Kean said.
Minister for Sport Natalie Ward said for some people, existing community sport facilities may not meet their needs and even discourage them from taking part.
“We want to actively encourage gender inclusiveness and accessibility in our facilities so that everyone can get out and play,” Mrs Ward said.
The Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund will offer funding through a competitive grants process and is a key initiative of the NSW Government’s jobs-creation sports infrastructure plan, providing a construction boom.
Grants of between $1 million to $5 million are available, with applications for the 2021/22 round closing on Friday, 25 February 2022.
For more details, see: https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/multi-sport-community-facility-fund.

The NSW Government’s drive to become a major global supplier of critical minerals and high-tech metals will be realised with the establishment of Australia’s first Critical Minerals Hub in the State’s Central West.
Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Resources Paul Toole announced the hub near Dubbo today, while launching NSW’s first Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy.
Mr Toole said critical minerals and high-tech metals such as cobalt, nickel and copper will play a vital role in making NSW the number one investment destination for mining and advanced manufacturing.
“Critical minerals are just that – minerals that are critical to the manufacture of everything from electric vehicles to solar technologies and for which there are no ready substitutes,” Mr Toole said.
“This Strategy delivers a clear vision to provide a key source of economic growth, diversify the NSW royalty base and create the advanced manufacturing jobs of the future in regional NSW.
“There is a global race on to locate, develop and establish secure supply chains of these minerals and metals. This Strategy will ensure NSW is in the box-seat to meet this demand.”
Mr Toole said the Critical Minerals Hub was an Australian-first and would set NSW apart as a premier destination for investment in antimony, cobalt, copper, titanium, rare earths and zirconium projects as demand for critical minerals increases exponentially in the next 40 years.
“The Hub in the Central West will be a focal point for the development of this industry, including value-added processing, located close to existing, approved and potential mining developments,” Mr Toole said.
“The hub could accommodate domestic e-waste recycling for eastern Australia, as well as the importation of e-waste from the Indo-Pacific region, so we can recover and recycle critical minerals alongside the exploration and mining of new resources.
“It will build on existing investments at the Parkes Special Activation Precinct as well as the $3 billion investment in Australia’s first Renewable Energy Zone, which is centred around the Dubbo, Wellington and Mudgee regions.
“This demonstrates the commitment by the NSW Government to support mining and advanced manufacturing as we diversify the State’s economy towards a lower carbon future.”
Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders said the strategy is a significant step forward for many key sites across regional NSW.
“This is a really important part of securing future jobs and prosperity in the Dubbo area, as we look towards new types of industry and manufacturing in the Central West,” Mr Saunders said.
“Dubbo itself is the centre of the critical minerals activity in the region, and is the natural hub to provide many of the ongoing services which will be needed.”
The Strategy includes further geological surveys to deliver more quality pre-competitive data for explorers, investigating the potential for copper production and other downstream processing opportunities for critical minerals, and providing assistance to mining projects to navigate planning and approval processes.

The NSW Government has taken precautionary steps in relation to quarantine arrangements for overseas arrivals following the introduction of additional national border security measures by the Australian Government.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the new measures would help keep people safe as we work through this latest development with COVID.
“Authorities around the world are still investigating the risk posed by this new variant,” Mr Perrottet said.
“As a result the NSW Government will continue to put community safety first by taking these precautionary but important steps until more information becomes available.”
The new measures, which will take effect at midnight tonight, are:

• In line with Commonwealth measures, all travellers arriving in NSW who have been in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, Malawi, and the Seychelles during the 14 day period before their arrival in NSW must enter hotel quarantine for 14 days, irrespective of their vaccination status;
• All travellers who have been in any other overseas country during the 14 day period before their arrival in NSW must travel directly to their place of residence or accommodation and isolate for 72 hours, pending further health advice;
• All flight crew who have been overseas during the 14-day period before their arrival in NSW must travel directly to their place of residence or accommodation and isolate for 14 days or until their departure on another flight that leaves Australia, consistent with the current rules for unvaccinated flight crew;
• Anyone who has already arrived in NSW who has been in any of the nine African countries within the previous 14 days must immediately get tested and isolate for 14 days, and call NSW Health on 1800 943 553;
• All unvaccinated travellers from any overseas country will continue to enter hotel quarantine.

Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said no cases of the Omicron variant have been identified in NSW to date, but urged everyone to stay vigilant.
“I remind the community that vaccination, social distancing and hand hygiene remain our best defence against COVID,” Mr Hazzard said.
Public health advice on quarantine arrangements and isolation requirements will be provided as soon as new information emerges on the risk posed by the new variant and the extent of its international transmission.
People can get the latest information by visiting nsw.gov.au.

Regional and rural communities across NSW will benefit from a more than $500 million investment in health that will deliver enhanced health services and more jobs closer to home.
Premier Dominic Perrottet, Deputy Premier Paul Toole and Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the additional funding will help deliver more health services and infrastructure needed in the bush.
“We have delivered more than 110 health projects in regional NSW since 2011 with another 70 currently underway and we are continuing to get the job done,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Our focus has always been ensuring rural communities get their share of health upgrades so staff and communities have access to enhanced services on their doorstep.”
The investment includes additional funds for a number of projects, including:

• $111.5 million for Cessnock Hospital redevelopment;
• $60 million towards the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital, bringing the total investment to $260 million;
• $25 million for Finley Hospital;
• $6.4 million to expand Wyong Hospital’s Cancer Day Unit to deliver specialist cancer ambulatory treatment services, to complement the recently opened $200 million expanded Wyong Hospital;
• $6 million for biomedical equipment upgrades across the Western NSW Local Health District;
• $1 million for planning for a Wagga Wagga Health and Knowledge precinct.

Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the funding is on top of the $900 million rural infrastructure spend in 2021-22.
“We’re rolling out record investment for new and upgraded regional and rural health facilities to build on our vision to make regional communities the best place to live,” Mr Toole said.
“We are also backing in this infrastructure spend with new initiatives that help ensure we have the workforce needed in the regions to deliver the quality of care our communities deserve.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the NSW Government is making sure the millions of patients who access the health system each year have the health facilities that match their needs.
“We are building better health services across the state and we know we need to get the right health infrastructure in place so our medical professionals can provide the care and support people in the regions need,” Mr Hazzard said.

Disaster assistance is now available in thirteen additional local government areas of Blayney, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Cabonne, Cobar, Gilgandra, Gunnedah, Gwydir, Narrabri, Port Macquarie Hastings, Upper Hunter, Warrumbungle and Weddin following severe storms and flooding from Tuesday 9 November 2021.
These areas are now included in addition to the initial declaration for the local government areas of Tenterfield, Forbes, Bathurst, Blue Mountains, Cowra, Lachlan and Moree.
Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie said the severe weather event caused significant widespread damage across NSW.
“Severe weather from early November has continued to impact a number of communities across NSW, including further flooding and storm damage across the State,” Minister McKenzie said.
“Significant rainfall and flooding in a number of areas has resulted in damage to major roads and residential properties.”
New South Wales Minister for Police and Emergency Services the Hon David Elliott said the event had required a significant response from the NSW State Emergency Services, including a number of flood rescues.
“The assistance being announced today will help ensure councils and individuals impacted by this event have the support they need to get back on their feet.”
Assistance available under the DRFA may include:

• Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged (eligibility criteria apply)
• Support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets
• Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations
• Freight subsidies for primary producers, and
• Grants to eligible non-profit organisations.

For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact Service NSW on 13 77 88.
To apply for a concessional loan or grant, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au