Forty seven schools across NSW will open Out of School Hours Care Hubs by June as part of the NSW Government’s Before and After School Care election commitment.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian opened a new hub today at Camden Public School and said that more than $20 million Out of School Hours Care Hub Program will benefit families across NSW.
“The new hubs are an innovative way of providing additional before and after school care for more than 2,400 students across the state,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We know families are concerned about the cost of living following the pandemic, and I want to ensure affordable and convenient before and after school care is available to everyone who needs it and at a location that is convenient.”
Since July 2019, the NSW Government has created more than 11,000 after school care places and these new hubs will add to this capacity.
The Out of School Hours Care Hub Program, which will deliver modular buildings custom-designed for Out of School Hours Care services, will cut waiting times and allow more families to access before and after school care services.
Rental subsidy of the hubs will ensure affordable care is available.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said she was delighted to be launching the vital program that would benefit so many families in NSW.
“The NSW Government is committed to looking after families, and part of that is providing the infrastructure to expand Out of School Hours Care services,” Ms Mitchell said.
“This initiative supports NSW families – it will allow more students to have safe, fun environments before and after school and during vacation periods, and for their parents to have the flexibility to participate in the workforce.”
The new Out of School Hours Care Hub Program aims to fill gaps in access to services across the state, particularly in regional areas, as well as to clear waiting lists in areas of high demand.
Each Out of School Hours Care hub will have facilities for student activities as well as administration and storage areas.
The Out of School Hours Care Hub Program is part of the $120 million investment over four years to expand access to Out of School Hours Care for public primary school children.
The after school care hubs initiative is on top of the NSW Government’s record $7 billion school infrastructure program to deliver more than 200 new and upgraded schools to support communities. Nineteen of these projects are located in the Macarthur area.
STAMP DUTY EXEMPTIONS HELP THOUSANDS MORE FIRST HOMEBUYERS TURN THE KEY ON AUSSIE DREAM
More than six thousand additional first homebuyers have gained a foothold on the property ladder in just six months following the NSW Government’s decision to provide additional relief on stamp duty and help boost the economy and jobs.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the latest data indicated the great Australian dream of home ownership remained strong, with the total number of stamp duty exemptions and partial concessions granted rising 30 percent over the year, from more than 31,500 in 2019 to more than 41,000 in 2020.
“We all know how challenging 2020 was and our suite of COVID-19 support and stimulus measures – the largest of any state or territory – has helped cushion the worst economic impacts of the pandemic,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Additional stamp duty relief has delivered the twin benefit of helping more people achieve their dream of homeownership, while continuing to boost the economy.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the Government’s continued focus on housing affordability had seen first home buyers as a share of the total owner occupier residential market increase from below 15 percent in 2016 to around 30 per cent.
“Stamp duty is a significant financial barrier to those buying a first home and this program has helped thousands of people go from renters to homeowners without saving for years to pay stamp duty,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Record low interest rates are putting upwards pressure on prices, but it’s clear if we can lower the financial burden the dream of home ownership burns as strong as ever.”
The total value of stamp duty concessions and exemptions granted by the NSW Government increased from $485.9 million in 2019 to $559.7 million in 2020.
Under the temporary changes the cap on the value of new homes at which stamp duty exemptions apply increased from $650,000 to $800,000, with concessional duty applied on higher values before phasing out at $1 million.
For vacant land purchases, the threshold for an exemption increased from $350,000 to $400,000 with concessional duty rates applying on purchases up to $500,000.
This additional relief will remain in place until July 31, 2021.
In the five months following the changes – from August to December 2020 – the number of stamp duty exemptions and concessions granted topped 21,436, compared to 14,967 in the same period in 2019.
According to NSW Treasury stamp duty adds about $34,000 to the upfront cost of buying the average NSW home.
It now takes around 12.6 years compared to 8 years in 1990 for the average person to save for a deposit.
Stamp duty was introduced to NSW in 1865 and has continued for more than 150 years.
On 1 July 2019, NSW became the first state in Australia to index stamp duty brackets to the Sydney Consumer Price Index, to limit the taxation cost due to inflation.
THREE NORTHBOUND LANES ON PACIFIC HIGHWAY AT WARRAWEE OPEN TO TRAFFIC
Three continuous northbound lanes on the Pacific Highway near Finlay Road at Warrawee are now open to traffic, improving travel times and traffic flow for motorists between Turramurra and Wahroonga.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the Morrison and Berejiklian governments had committed $120 million each to the Pinch Point Program to alleviate traffic bottlenecks.
“Under the Urban Roads Pinch Point Program, we have invested in upgrading the Pacific Highway and Finlay Road intersection to bust congestion for the 60,000 motorists who use the Pacific Highway every day,” Minister Fletcher said.
“We are investing in the Urban Roads Pinch Point Program to deliver small-scale road improvements such as this across the Sydney metropolitan road network.”
The upgrade involved installing permanent no-right-turns to and from the Pacific Highway and Finlay Road by replacing the right-turn lane with a road median to create three northbound lanes.
NSW Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance MP said the upgrade will alleviate congestion at the intersection of the Pacific Highway and Finlay Road.
“Prior to the upgrade, the intersection had two northbound lanes and a southbound right-turn lane, forcing drivers to wait for a break in traffic to make the right turns to and from the Pacific Highway and Finlay Road,” Minister Constance said.
“The upgrade is allowing traffic to flow better in both directions without interruption from turning vehicles, especially during the afternoon peak with a continuous northbound lane to Fox Valley Road.”
“Work is continuing for the other intersection upgrades on the Pacific Highway near Fox Valley Road and Redleaf Avenue with construction due to finish in 2022.”
These upgrades involve widening the Pacific Highway to create three continuous northbound lanes and adjusting turning movements to and from a number of cross streets.
NSW GOVERNMENT WEEKLY UPDATE – 15 FEBRUARY 2021
COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS UPDATE
- Restrictions have been 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 have been effective since 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.
- For the latest information and COVID-19 testing sites please visit: www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19.
DINE & DISCOVER LAUNCHES IN THE ROCKS AND BROKEN HILL TO HELP BOOST NSW BUSINESSES
- The commencement of the NSW Government’s $500 million Dine & Discover stimulus program is a step closer, with testing starting in The Rocks and Broken Hill.
- Phase 2 is expected to start later this month with pilots in the Northern Beaches, Sydney CBD and Bega Valley Shire Council. The state wide rollout is expected to take place in March.
- Following the state wide rollout, every NSW resident aged 18 and over will be eligible for four $25 vouchers worth $100 in total, to spend in participating businesses.
- Further information or to register for the program visit: www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/dine-and-discover-nsw.
THOUSANDS OF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY GRADUATES JOIN PUBLIC HOSPITALS
- More than 2500 graduate nurses and midwives will start work at about 130 public hospitals and health services from this week, a quarter in rural and regional areas.
- More than 54,000 nurses and midwives currently work in the NSW public health system, an increase of 24.7 per cent since 2011.
- The NSW Government has invested in a record total 8,300 frontline health staff over four years, including an additional 5,000 nurses and midwives, including mental health and palliative care nurses.
LOCKOUT LAWS LIFTED FOR KINGS CROSS
- Sydney’s nightlife will be revitalised and boosted, with the NSW Government set to remove the lockout laws in the Kings Cross entertainment precinct.
- 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.
- The NSW Government will closely monitor the changes and any impacts and conduct a review in 12 months.
NSW INTRODUCES AUSTRALIA’S TOUGHEST SUITE OF ANIMAL CRUELTY PENALTIES TO PARLIAMENT
- The NSW Government has continued its crusade against cowards caught committing acts of cruelty to animals by introducing Australia’s toughest suite of animal cruelty penalties
- The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Bill 2021 will dramatically increase penalties for animal welfare offences in NSW and the range of tools available to courts to better and more effectively deal with offenders.
- The proposed increases would introduce the following penalties:
- Failure to provide food and shelter: increase from $5,500 to $16,500 for individuals, per offence, with corporate penalties increasing from $27,500 to $82,500;
- Cruelty: increase from $5,500 and/or 6 months’ imprisonment per offence, to $44,000 and/or 12 months’ imprisonment for individuals. The corporate penalty will increase from $27,500 to $220,000; and
- Aggravated cruelty: the maximum penalty per offence will increase from $22,000 to $110,000 for an individual and from $110,000 to $550,000 for a corporation.
RESTORATION OF STOCKTON BEACH ONE STEP CLOSER AFTER EXPLORATION LICENCE APPROVED
- A critical step towards tackling beach erosion at Stockton Beach has been given the green light with the NSW Government approving an exploration licence to identify sand suitable for renourishing the beach.
- The Geological Survey of NSW within the Department of Regional NSW applied for the offshore exploration licence in December to allow exploration work to begin.
- The licence approval brings the NSW Government one step closer to replenishing Stockton Beach. The exploration work is funded from $1 million announced in March 2020.
- For more information, visit www.resourcesandgeoscience.nsw.gov.au/stockton.
HOUSING REFORMS A WIN FOR RENTERS
- Renters will have more choice and the property industry will be transformed by a raft of planning and tax reforms that will make build-to-rent housing a reality in NSW.
- The planning policy sets out new provisions for build-to-rent housing, and to be eligible for the tax concessions, a build-to-rent property must meet criteria set out in legislation and in the Treasurer’s Guidelines.
- Eligibility criteria for the tax concessions include that a property has at least 50 dwellings used specifically for the purposes of build-to-rent, is held under unified ownership and is not subdivided in the first 15 years of receiving the concessions.
- The build-to-rent planning changes are effective immediately and will be included in the new consolidated Housing State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP), which will be finalised in the coming months.
- For more information on the planning policy visit: https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/build-to-rent.
INNOVATIVE PROJECT TO TRANSFORM YOUNG LIVES
- 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.
- Foyer Central would give young people leaving care the best possible start to adulthood as they undertake work, study or training.
- It 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.
- 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.
NSW GOVERNMENT STARTS PROCESS TO REMOVE HIGH-RISK CLADDING
- The NSW Government has announced further details of the project to facilitate the removal of high-risk combustible cladding from residential apartment buildings across the State.
- Project Remediate would provide interest-free, 10-year loans, to Owners Corporations to enable and fast-track the safe removal of high-risk cladding.
- Project Remediate will help drive the State’s economic recovery from COVID-19 by providing a pipeline of investment generating and supporting up to 3,500 jobs in the residential apartment construction sector.
- For more information please visit: www.nsw.gov.au/customer-service/projects-and-initiatives/project-remediate.
CALL FOR NEWCASTLE VETERANS’ OFFICE TO REOPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon has backed the call from local veterans for face-to-face services to resume at the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) office in Newcastle’s CBD.
The DVA Veterans Access Network (VAN) office was closed in March last year in response to COVID-19 and still hasn’t reopened its doors to the public.
Ms Claydon said she was contacted by tireless veterans’ advocate and DVA-sponsored volunteer, Gerry Bailey, about the impact the ongoing closure was having on veterans and their families.
“Mr Bailey has let me know about the distress that local veterans and their families have experienced at not being able to access this office during this exceptionally difficult time,” Ms Claydon said.
“He has also told me that the ongoing closure has led to anxiety in the veterans’ community that these important services may be suspended indefinitely.
“Many veterans rely on this drop-in service, especially those with physical, mental or social issues or disabilities which make face-to-face service delivery the most appropriate and comfortable form of contact for them.
“Indeed, the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) own website says the Veteran Access Network and Veteran Support Officers (VSOs) are two of its most important access points for clients.”
Ms Claydon said she believed the office could open in a COVID-safe way.
“The Newcastle Open Arms Veterans and Families Counselling office, which shares a back-office space with the VAN Office, returned to normal face-to-face services many months ago. Similarly, the NDIS offices, along with my own, are located only metres away and we both resumed walk-in constituent services many months ago.
“I understand the need to exercise caution, but this mustn’t be at the expense of access or service quality.”
Ms Claydon said wrote to the Minister after being told by the Department that there was no timeline for the reopening of the office.
“I’ve asked the Minister to put in place a firm plan for the imminent reopening the Newcastle DVA drop-in service,” Ms Claydon said.
“I’ve also asked him for his assurance that there is no plan to permanently close the Newcastle VAN office, change staffing arrangements or suspend services indefinitely.”
MORRISON GOVERNMENT FAILS NEWCASTLE ON PEP-11
The Morrison Government has failed the people of Newcastle by not delivering a decision on the future of PEP-11 oil and gas exploration permit by the project’s scheduled expiry date today.
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon said the Government’s failure demonstrated ‘grave contempt’ for the Newcastle community.
“The Minister has long known that this permit is due to expire today and he is well aware of the great community concern about its extension,” Ms Claydon said.
“He’s had every opportunity to fulfil his basic responsibilities, but instead he’s decided to prolong the anxiety for coastal communities from Newcastle to Sydney.”
Ms Claydon said it wasn’t good enough for the Minister to blame his NSW State Government counterpart for his failure to do his job.
“The Minister was on radio this morning saying he’s still waiting to hear from the New South Wales State Government about their formal position, even though the Deputy Premier has been utterly unambiguous about his opposition to PEP-11.
“My community shouldn’t have to pay the price because these Liberal Governments can’t seem to communicate with each other.”
Ms Claydon said it’s well past time for the Morrison Government to heed the community’s wishes and reject the extension.
“From day one, the message from the Newcastle community to the Minister has been crystal clear: Oil and gas rigs have no place in our beloved coastal waters.
“The community has rejected the project. The New South Wales Government has rejected the project. Federal Labor has rejected the project. Now it’s time for the Minister to do the right thing and put an end to PEP-11 once and for all!”
GREENS BILL TO STRENGTH DISABILITY ROYAL COMMISSION PRIVACY PROTECTIONS PASSES SENATE
Greens bill aimed at strengthening the privacy protections of witnesses who give evidence to the Disability Royal Commission has passed the Senate with the support of Labor and the entirety of the cross-bench including One Nation.
The Government opposed the passage of the bill.
Senator Jordon Steele-John, who introduced the bill, said it was a huge win for the community and sent a clear signal to the Attorney General that these changes are urgently needed.
“Disabled people want to know that they are safe to tell their stories to the Disability Royal Commission, and that the evidence they give will not be used against them after the Royal Commission ends,” Steele-John said.
“With the government today losing this historic vote in the Senate, the community now know that the majority of their representatives in the Australian Senate support their desire for change.
“For the last 18 months the Attorney General has known this issue is having a chilling effect on the work of the Royal Commission, as many people in the community are worried about coming forward to tell their stories. We’re still yet to see any detail on how the government plans to fix this critical issue.
“With the Disability Royal Commission recommencing hearings for 2021 in Brisbane on the experiences of people with cognitive impairment in the criminal justice system Tomorrow, it’s more important than ever that our Royal Commission can hear evidence from as many people as possible.
“With my bill today passing the Senate, we are already halfway there. It’s time this government acted to give people the peace of mind that telling their stories won’t cause them more harm.”
Dutton Grants Rort Renews ICAC Calls
The Greens condemn Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton for using his ministerial powers to slash millions in grant funding for community projects recommended by his department, in favour of his own handpicked list in electorally beneficial locations.
Greens Leader in the Senate and spokesperson for democracy, Senator Larissa Waters, said:
“Another day, another pork barrelling scandal.
“Ministers picking their own pet projects against departmental recommendations to secure electoral outcomes has become commonplace under the Morrison Government.
“The rorts will keep coming because Morrison and his mates treat public money as their own kitty for keeping themselves in power.
“After Sports Rorts, the Greens moved to establish a broader Senate Inquiry into Government rorts, only for it to be blocked by the Government and One Nation.
“Minister Dutton may be in breach of Ministerial Standards but as if the Prime Minister would choose now to start enforcing them.
“This pork barrelling will only stop when we have a federal corruption watchdog that applies to all MPs.
“The Government has proposed a sham integrity commission that would shield their mates from proper scrutiny – and it’s clear why.
“My bill for a federal corruption watchdog passed the Senate a year-and-a-half ago, but Morrison – surprise, surprise – still refuses to bring it on for debate in the House.
“Enough is enough. This Government is running away from integrity and transparency as fast as new corruption scandals emerge. It’s time for Morrison to clean up his sideshow of scandals.”
Vaccine rollout to support people from all backgrounds in Australia
The Australian Government is ensuring the COVID-19 Vaccination Program meets the needs of everyone in Australia, including those from culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.
To be successful, high uptake of COVID-19 vaccination will be required in Australia. Therefore it is critical that the vaccine program is designed and delivered in a manner which is accessible, inclusive and culturally safe.
This includes ensuring that communications are developed and targeted for CALD communities and that information and services are delivered in appropriate languages and formats and within appropriate facilities and locations.
The Government recognises that people from multicultural communities are a significant part of the health, aged care, childcare and disability workforce and will be among the first people in Australia to receive vaccinations.
A comprehensive vaccine implementation plan (the Plan) has been developed in partnership with multicultural specialist agencies – and with advice from the national CALD Communities COVID-19 Health Advisory Group – to reach people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
The Plan also ensures that the medical workforce administering vaccinations will be trained to work with people from culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse communities to ensure that services are delivered in a culturally appropriate and safe way, with the assistance of interpreters where needed.
The Plan is supported by the $31 million COVID-19 vaccination public information campaign which is now rolling out across the country, which included an additional $1.3 million to reach culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities through their peak multicultural organisations.
This Plan is available on the Department of Health website.
Vaccinations will be accessible on a rolling basis, depending on vaccine delivery schedules and prioritisation of groups for most urgent vaccination.
Australian government ensuring safe and secure delivery of COVID-19 vaccines
The Australian Government’s roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccines across the country is moving closer, with the plans for the complex distribution process and safe and secure storage of the vaccines well in hand.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack and Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communities and Local Government Mark Coulton on Sunday inspected DHL Supply Chain’s large scale ultra-cold storage infrastructure.
DHL’s ultra-cold and secure storage facility will keep safe the supply of Australia’s Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which needs to be stored at between minus 60 and 80 degrees. Australia will receive 20 million Pfizer-BioNTech doses in 2021.
Mr McCormack said DHL is one of two world-class logistics and distribution companies contracted to ensure the COVID-19 vaccines are available to everyone in Australia, no matter where they live.
“I have been determined to ensure that regional and rural Australia gets the same access to the vaccine that our cities will and that’s what we are doing,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“Australians have done the right thing throughout this pandemic and now the Australian Government is making sure everyone who wants to be vaccinated is, and is for free.
“We now have access to more than 150 million vaccine doses across the Pfizer-BioNTech, OxfordAstraZeneca and Novavax vaccines, ensuring we remain a world leader in the fight against the virus.
“It is important that these vaccines, which are in high-demand worldwide, are kept safe and secure which is what the Australian Government and our logistics partners are doing.
“This afternoon we were shown how the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccines across Australia is moving closer, with the plans for the complex process and safe and secure distribution.
“DHL is capable of handling close to three million Pfizer vaccine doses, as part of the initial deliveries to Australia.”
Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communities and Local Government Mark Coulton said the Australian Government is partnering with world-leading logistics provider, DHL, to ensure vaccines will be available to all Australians, including those in rural and remote Australia.
“We all understand how vast Australia is and the challenges we face delivering these vaccines to everyone, with more than a third of our population living outside capital cities,” Minister Coulton said.
“The Government is committed to ensuring every Australian receives safe, effective vaccines, wherever they live.
“That’s why we are partnering with highly-experienced logistics professionals to ensure we have the capacity to deliver on our national vaccination plan.
“Every person living in regional, rural, and remote Australia can rest assured they will have access to safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines at the same time as their city cousins.
“Australians will soon begin to receive their two-shot vaccine regime, with priority populations starting at the end of February.”
DHL will also distribute the Astra Zeneca and Novavax vaccines – when approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) – to Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, the Northern Territory, Western Australia and external territories, such as Norfolk Island.
DHL will also support the distribution of the Pfizer vaccine in aged care residential facilities and disability residences across Australia.
Vaccination of Australians against COVID 19 will commence in late February to ensure an orderly roll out to priority groups which is safe, effective and explained properly to Australians.