16 News

Shopping centres across Sydney should expect a visit from SafeWork inspectors, who will be dropping in to make sure shops are COVIDSafe during the busy Christmas shopping season.
Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation, Kevin Anderson urged both businesses and shoppers to remain vigilant despite relaxed restrictions.
“Christmas is around the corner and a lot of us will be heading to the shops to stock up on presents for our friends and families,” Mr Anderson said.
“However, the risk of COVID is far from over, and we’ve got to remain vigilant, especially when in busy public areas.”
SafeWork inspectors will spend the next fortnight checking that important practices such as physical distancing and hygiene measures are being followed.
“Our visits will ensure that shopping centre management understand the requirements of the Public Health Orders that remain in place and help their tenants in meeting their obligations,” Mr Anderson said.
“NSW businesses have done an outstanding job in very difficult circumstances to help contain this virus, and we want to ensure that we don’t let our guard down.”
“We want everyone to enjoy the festive period, but let’s do it safely and continue working together to prevent the spread in our communities.”
SafeWork NSW’s will be checking that shopping centres have:

• A NSW Government registered COVID Safety Plan
• Physical distancing of customers and workers
• Adequate hygiene practices
• A cleaning schedule in place suitable to the risks of COVID-19 at the site
• Provisions in place in the event of a COVID-19 case occurring at the site
• Electronic recording of entry to premises

To find out more advice tailored to shopping centres, please visit nsw.gov.au.

The world’s largest express transportation company, FedEx Express, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the NSW Government that will connect the Western Sydney Aerotropolis to more than 220 countries around the world by supporting the design and development of a new freight and logistics hub.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the MoU with FedEx Express will support increased trade and export of local products through the Western Sydney International (Nancy Bird Walton) Airport.
“The 24/7 freight and logistics hub will be a cutting-edge facility that allows fresh produce to be transported from local paddocks to international plates in under 36 hours and open up a global market for farmers and local businesses in Western Sydney,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“FedEx Express has agreed to play a key role in the development of a freight and logistics hub in the Western Sydney Aerotropolis. We will leverage their expertise to transform the way goods are brought from Western Sydney to the world.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the latest MoU helps ensure Western Sydney has a competitive advantage when it comes to freight and logistics.
“With the latest technology, this is an opportunity to position Western Sydney to capitalise on that advantage for our businesses,” Mr Ayres said.
“We have now signed MoUs with companies across aerospace, defence, manufacturing, agribusiness, education and logistics and are on track to create 200,000 jobs in the Western Parkland City.”
FedEx Express, Australasia vice president Peter Langley said FedEx Express is pleased to be able to work with the NSW Government to build a leading freight and logistics hub in Western Sydney.
“In today’s business environment, having a competitive edge is critical to success and with our FedEx and TNT services, we are offering customers the ability to optimise their cross-border supply chains at high speeds and without compromise on reliability,” Mr Langley said.
“With the presence of this facility, we are creating more possibilities for local businesses to reach potential new markets across the world.”
The freight and logistics hub, to be built on the doorstep of the Western Sydney International Airport, will be supported by automated technologies and include digital capabilities that are having a big impact in the way goods are moving around the world.

Detailed new plans to transform Westmead into Australia’s most significant and dynamic health and innovation district have been released by the NSW Government.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the draft Westmead Place Strategy outlines a vision for a national centre for excellence in health, research and education.
“Westmead is already Sydney’s medical capital, home to leading researchers, entrepreneurs, health workers and students, but these plans will provide the precinct with a refresh and a platform to build even further,” Mr Stokes said.
“The arrival of the Sydney Metro West will be the catalyst for major change, transforming the area with a mix of housing types, better public transport, walking and cycling connections and thousands of jobs close to homes in Western Sydney.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said Westmead will become a model 21st century smart city with a vision for approximately 50,000 jobs located close to transport and homes.
“This dynamic strategy will secure Westmead as one of Australia’s most significant hubs for jobs, investment and research of the future,” Mr Ayres said.
“This will be a precinct that everyone across Western Sydney can be truly proud of.”
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education and Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said the draft strategy will encourage new tertiary opportunities for Westmead allowing for synergies with the health cluster.
“Our strategic vision will put people at the centre of future development with a focus on pedestrian-friendly streets and new community facilities, including exploring potential new river crossings to improve access,” Mr Lee said.
“We will protect heritage buildings and find ways they can be repurposed for new community uses, where appropriate.”


Westmead has been divided into seven sub-precincts, each defined by its own purpose and distinct character to create an integrated, coherent and sustainable community.
The seven sub-precincts are:

• Westmead South Precinct: A walkable residential neighbourhood, transformed by the proposed Metro Station to increase connectivity, offering housing choice and diversity, with an urban village at its heart;

• Health and Innovation Precinct: Westmead’s engine room, defined by its world-class health, research, education and innovation facilities;

• Westmead East Precinct: A bustling neighbourhood offering housing diversity, a thriving high street along Hawkesbury Road with connections to Parramatta;

• Northmead Employment Precinct: An employment precinct that has the potential to capitalise on advance manufacturing and support health businesses. The precinct will take advantage of Toongabbie Creek to improve amenity and connections to the Health and Innovation Sub-Precinct;

• Northmead Residential Precinct: An amenity-led residential neighbourhood embracing its proximity to Toongabbie Creek;

• Northmead Enterprise Precinct: A revitalised enterprise precinct that strengthen the role of providing commercial and urban services to the local community; and

• Parramatta North Precinct: A mixed use precinct set within a highly valued heritage and parkland setting. The precinct will attract new investment and renewal with facilities in innovation, tertiary education, enterprise, vibrant public domain spaces, community and cultural uses and housing diversity.

Following finalisation of this strategy, the Greater Sydney Commission will coordinate a whole of government response to deliver on the potential at Westmead. For more information and to have your say visit www.planning.nsw.gov.au/westmead

More customers are being welcomed back to the public transport network today with an increase in the number of people allowed on trains, buses, ferries and light rail, in line with health advice.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said with community transmission remaining low, NSW Health recognises that transport usage will increase across the network.
“We know more people are moving around this summer and we are at a stage where we can safely let more people onto the public transport network to help people get back to jobs, recreational activities and public spaces in a COVID safe way,” Mr Constance said.
“A Waratah train will now be able to carry 86 customers per carriage, up from 68, and a typical two-door bus will be able to carry 27 customers, up from 23.”
NSW TrainLink services are already being booked to 50 per cent capacity, with additional demand being met by supplementary coach services, to maintain physical distancing when travelling long distances.
Transport for NSW Chief Operations Officer Howard Collins said green physical distancing dots will continue to guide customers on the best places to sit and stand on public transport.
“We have added 1,200 extra services to the 3,300 extra services rolled out in June giving customers plenty of options when planning their travel,” Mr Collins said.
“There are three simple steps for a COVID safe public transport trip – plan ahead and check physical distancing capacity, wear a mask and find a green dot.
“Enhanced cleaning continues with 1,600 extra cleaners employed and 1.5 million extra cleaning hours carried out since March 2020, while extra staff continue to help customers move through busy stations and interchanges in a COVID safe way.
“I want to thank all the commuters and businesses who have worked with us from day one and continue to work with us to keep services safe and moving.”