The first locally manufactured electric buses will roll out in Sydney later this year, as the NSW Government charges ahead with its plan to electrify the bus fleet by 2030.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the Element electric bus, built by Custom Denning, will be the first electric bus entirely manufactured in NSW.
“We are another step closer to creating a greener, cleaner and healthier future for the people of NSW, thanks to Custom Denning manufacturing electric buses at its factory in St Marys,” Mr Constance said.
“Custom’s Element electric bus has undergone a thorough assessment and I am excited to see it now included on a list of electric buses available to Transport for NSW’s bus operators.”
“Busways has already placed an order for six new electric buses from Custom, and I look forward to many more local bus companies taking up the opportunity to support local manufacturing and local jobs.”
Custom Bus Group Managing Director Scott Dunn said Custom has been building buses in Sydney for more than 65 years, and has built more than 700 diesel buses for the NSW Government over the past 10 years.
There are currently 12 people working on the electric bus project. However, we have the capacity to build around 400 buses each year in our current factory and this could create more than 300 jobs,” said Mr Dunn.
“The Element electric bus will be able to operate for around 22 hours on a single four-hour charge, and are cheaper to maintain and operate than their diesel counterparts.”
“Busways was Custom Denning’s first non-government customer and we have been buying high quality, reliable buses from them since 1958. We’ve been trialling the Element bus in the Penrith area for the last month and we are excited to be receiving our first order in the coming months,” said Busways Managing Director, Byron Rowe.
More than 60 new electric buses will be introduced on bus routes operated on behalf of the NSW Government this year. Electric buses are already operating in Sydney’s inner west and south west, as well as in the Hornsby and Sutherland regions.
Dine and Discover Extended to July 31
The Berejiklian Government’s Dine & Discover initiative will be extended by a month to give people more time to use all of their vouchers eating out or trying a new activity this winter, including in the upcoming school holidays.
The latest data shows more than 4.23 million people have downloaded the vouchers since they were launched in March spending a combined total of more than $357 million with registered businesses when adding in the additional spend on top of the voucher amount.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the stimulus had proved popular and played a valuable role supporting businesses as well as reviving consumer confidence.
“This is helping to fire-up our economy. It’s not just boosting revenue for businesses, it’s bringing a fresh clientele through their doors eager to try a new eatery or exciting activity,” Mr Perrottet said.
“People of all ages and walks of life are giving them a go and we don’t want anyone to miss out. This extension will ensure everyone has a chance to use all four of their vouchers, which I’m sure will be particularly handy in the school holidays.”
Every adult in NSW is eligible for four $25 vouchers worth $100 in total, to spend across the 14,000 participating businesses.
Dining out has been particularly popular, with patrons spending on average $41 for every $25 voucher used.
This increased spending at hospitality venues will have broader positive flow-on effects to the economy, through employment and purchases from upstream suppliers.
Adventure businesses have also benefited, along with cultural institutions such as galleries and museums.
Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello said the enthusiastic take up of the vouchers showed digital initiatives were the way of the future.
“Targeted stimulus, is smart stimulus when helping communities and citizens battle back from a pandemic and Dine & Discover has been able to support a wide range of businesses and industries,” Mr Dominello said.
“With about two in every three adults across NSW having now registered for the vouchers, having such a large portion of the NSW population on board means we can get money back into the community quickly.
“More than $105 million has been spent directly in registered business regionally compared to almost $200 million in establishments in Sydney.”
It’s not too late for businesses to register and customers are encouraged to sign up and spend their vouchers before they expire on July 31, 2021.
“We’re giving people more time to take full advantage of these vouchers, so make sure you sign up and use them before you lose them,” Mr Perrottet said.
The vouchers had been due to expire on June 30.
The vouchers can only be used at eligible businesses that have implemented a COVID Safety Plan and are registered as COVID Safe.
$100M for Farmers battling Mice
Primary producers experiencing financial hardship due to the mice plague will be able to claim rebates for the purchase of the mouse control chemical zinc phosphide, as part of an extension of the NSW Government’s Mouse Control Program.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said this new funding would offer primary producers a rebate of 50 per cent on zinc phosphide purchases, up to $10,000, to provide financial relief, cash flow and confidence to place advance orders on zinc phosphide ahead of spring.
“When the mouse bait and treated grain programs were announced I said there would be more support to come and today I’m pleased to confirm we will extend the program to include primary producer rebates for zinc phosphide,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Zinc phosphide is already a tax deductible expense for primary producers and while many are now seeing more promising business activity following the drought, I know the mice plague is stinging the hip pocket, which is why we are providing this rebate.”
Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said the NSW Government was working with manufacturers to help shore up supplies of zinc phosphide to ensure the State’s farmers were prepared to stamp out a possible spring surge in the mouse population.
“We are working to ensure there will be an appropriate supply of zinc phosphide active ingredient by providing $5 million to assist with the costs of transporting it to Australia,” Mr Marshall said.
“We will make sure zinc phosphide baits produced as part of this arrangement are earmarked for sale to NSW producers first, and we will continue to work to connect manufacturers with Commonwealth support such as the International Freight Assistance Mechanism.”
The Department of Regional NSW and the Rural Assistance Authority will develop the zinc phosphide rebate framework, including how primary producers will be able to claim the rebate and the eligibility criteria.
The $100 million primary producer zinc phosphide rebate scheme is in addition to the $50 million package designed for households and small businesses announced last month.
Primary producers who live where they work are already able to claim rebates of up to $1,000 for mouse bait, traps and cleaning products used to protect their homes.
Free grain treatment with bromadiolone for perimeter baiting is awaiting approval from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.
For more information please visit www.nsw.gov.au/mice
NSW Budget delivers hip pocket savings boost
The Berejiklian Government’s popular Cost of Living Service is being expanded as part of the 2021-22 NSW Budget.
$6.6 million in funding will help customers right across the state to access the full range of benefits available to them from the service and a further $7.6 million from the Department of Customer Service will be redirected towards upgrading the service.
Service NSW will also hire extra staff, which will allow for up to 500 customers a day to benefit from the service.
This means that potentially every minute someone will save up to $600 per appointment.
This support will make it easier for customers to find and apply for government rebates and savings, access personalised support with face-to-face appointments gradually resuming from 1 July.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said easing the cost of living for households remains a top priority for the Government in the 2021-22 NSW Budget.
“There are up to 70 savings offered by the Government, and more than $4 billion has been collectively saved by families since the program commenced in July 2017,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Service NSW is a one-stop shop that takes the hassle out of finding savings by putting all the relevant information under the one roof.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said this year’s Budget would continue to drive our economic recovery from COVID by ensuring more people had money in their pockets to spend on the things that matter most to them.
“This increased investment will give more people the support they need to help them create a better future for themselves and their families,” Mr Perrottet said.
“A simple appointment could potentially save you hundreds of dollars. Whether it is Active Kids vouchers, energy rebates or Toll Relief, there are hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars’ worth of savings out there to help make life that little bit easier.”
Minister for Digital and Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said specialised staff are on hand to do the heavy lifting for customers.
“Gone are the days of having to visit multiple websites and waste time calling different agencies. Our specialised one-stop shop staff can help customers identify their eligibility for savings and help them claim them,” Mr Dominello said.
“There have been 70,000 cost of living appointments since July 2018, with the average saving per appointment almost $600, which means more money being spent on the things that matter most.
“As the popularity of this program continues to grow, Service NSW will ensure more staff are made available to best support NSW residents.”
Examples of other savings available include pensioner travel vouchers, Low Income Household Rebate and the Regional seniors travel card.
Senate must reject Morrison’s environment-wrecking laws
The Australian Greens have called on the Senate, and state and territory governments, to reject the Morrison Government’s flawed environmental law reforms following the release of a highly-critical Senate Inquiry Report today.
Greens Environment Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“The Morrison Government is trying to weaken environment protection laws and hand approval powers for mines and big developments to the states rather than the Commonwealth.
“It is quite clear from the Senate Inquiry Report released today into this plan must be stopped.
“The Inquiry heard these laws not only further weaken existing protections they aren’t scientifically credible and will do nothing to halt the current extinction crisis.
“The only support in this report for the legislation comes from the government.
“If these new laws pass the parliament we will see more dead koalas, more pollution, more logging and more wanton destruction of cultural heritage sites.
“Our states and territories must also again lead where the Morrison Government won’t.
“Queensland, NSW and the ACT governments have rejected the Federal Government’s plan and I urge the other states and territories to join them.
“In particular, I call on SA Environment Minister David Speirs to stand up for our home state, our special natural places and the River Murray which will all be at serious risk if the Morrison Government’s plan goes ahead.
“We need a zero extinction target and to achieve it, we need strong environmental protections and an independent watchdog to hold governments, miners and developers to account.”
Report into Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Standards and Assurance) Bill 2021 by the Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, including Greens Dissenting Report here.
AUSTRALIAN GREENS CONDEMN WAR MEMORIAL REDEVELOPMENT APPROVAL
Australian Greens Peace and Disarmament spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John said today the National Capital Authority’s (NCA) approval of early works as part of the redevelopment of the Australian War Memorial (AWM), just days after confimring they had the power to reject the proposal, was anti-democratic.
Senator Steele-John said that of the 601 submissions the NCA received for this proposal – three times more than for any other issue – only three supported the redevelopment, making it abundantly clear that this project does not have the support of the community
“It’s clear that the consultation process up to this point has been an absolute farce and an insult to the community,” Steele-John said.
“After appearing before Senate Estimates just over a week ago and stating they had the power to knock back proposals that were not in line with the capital plan or unsupported by the community, it is incredibly disappointing to see the NCA now wave this proposal through without even taking the time to consult further.
“The speed with which this proposal has been approved by the NCA makes it clear the concenrs of the wider community have been ignored at the behest of the Morrison Government, the AWM and their corporate donors.
“The Greens will continue to listen to the community, who are united in their opposition to the project, and fight to ensure the AWM is a place of rememberance and reflection for all and not a billboard for corporate weapon makers.”
DobSeeker line is a farce
The Greens say Minister Robert’s latest release on the DobSeeker hotline confirms that it is just more Government funded intimidation of people on income support.
This attempt to once again demonise people looking for work is despicable. There are 1.14 million people looking for work and the Minister is making a big deal of a few hundred calls that are still being ‘investigated’. This demonising has to stop.
The mutual obligations system is a vicious cycle of intimidation and paper pushing.
Every month businesses have to deal with 17 million job applications, despite there being just 243,500 jobs available.
Come July that will go up to 23 million per month when people on JobSeeker have to apply for 20 jobs per month.
At the end of the day Minister Robert needs to take responsibility for his Government’s policies and the impact it has. People lose their only income if you don’t put in 15 job applications per month.
It’s because of the Government’s rules that businesses are having to deal with so many applications, but of course Mr Robert is just going to use it as an opportunity to attack people on income support.
Transition to Practice program to attract and prepare nurses in aged care
The Australian Government is helping nurses receive the extra training they need to care for older Australians.
The University of Wollongong (UOW), the Australian College of Nursing (ACN) and Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) are being funded to establish Aged Care Transition to Practice (ACTTP) programs to attract and retain up to 740 new nurses to aged care.
The programs will guide new nurses in their first year of clinical practice through mentorship, professional development and specialist clinical training.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the aged care workforce was at the heart of quality care and supporting the growing workforce was a Government priority.
“This program is designed to directly support and provide guidance for newly-graduated nurses to join this expanding sector,” Minister Hunt said.
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck said it was just the beginning of once-in-a-generation changes to aged care in Australia, with a particular focus on workforce.
“It will allow graduates to see the benefit and contribution they can make to the lives of senior Australians, and ultimately choose aged care nursing as a rewarding career of choice,” Minister Colbeck said.
Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Adjunct Professor (Practice) Alison McMillan, said the training component would include infection prevention and control, nutrition, falls prevention and wound care, which will be critical for ensuring safe and high quality care for senior Australians.
“Transition to practice programs are common in other parts of the health sector, and their introduction to aged care will go a long way to boosting the sector,” Prof. McMillan said.
“Many graduates don’t realise aged care provides nurses with opportunities for rapid development and career advancement compared to other clinical settings.
“The critical mentorship component of this program will ensure graduate nurses see these opportunities for growth and make aged care nursing a career of choice.”
The ACTTP program was announced in the 2020-21 Budget and received a $1.1 million funding boost in this year’s historic aged care allocations in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s recommendations.
The successful organisations, UOW, ACN and ACSA, will start work immediately, with all programs underway from July 2021.
Historic Australian Federal Police operation keeping Australians safe
More than 220 members of accused mafia, outlaw motorcycle gangs and transnational serious organised criminals have been arrested for serious drug and weapon offences under an historic Australian Federal Police-led operation.
Keeping Australians safe is the Morrison Government’s top priority and that’s why we have been giving law enforcement agencies the legislation, tools and resourcing needed to target transnational and serious organised crime syndicates trafficking and distributing illicit drugs across our country.
Operation Ironside has so far led to the arrest of 224 offenders on 526 charges in every mainland Australian state. More arrests are expected domestically under a coordinated global response.
3.7 tonnes of drugs, 104 firearms and weapons, and almost $45 million have been seized under Operation Ironside since 2018.
As part of the global operation more than 9,000 officers from law enforcement have deployed to the international effort, with more than 4,500 members from the AFP and state and territory police helping to execute hundreds of warrants across Australia since yesterday.
Operation Ironside began almost three years ago and is the Australian component of a long-term, international, covert investigation. The FBI and AFP targeted a dedicated encrypted platform used exclusively by organised crime.
The AFP provided the highly-skilled, technical staff and capability to decrypt and read encrypted communication in real time, giving law enforcement an edge it had never had.
The FBI had access to a new platform named AN0M and began running it without the knowledge of the criminal underworld.
The Federal Government congratulates the AFP for their dedication to keeping Australia safe and acknowledges the state and territory agencies for their support of Operation Ironside.
This is as a warning to organised crime in Australia, and abroad – the AFP and Australia’s law enforcement agencies have a laser-like focus in bringing them to justice.
The Morrison Government has resourced the AFP with more than $1 billion for a seven year plan to help them tackle the risks our community faces from organised crime, criminals and terrorists.
The Government has also introduced a number of bills to bolster Australian agencies’ fight against organised crime. This includes the Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and Disrupt) Bill 2020; the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (International Production Orders) Bill 2020 and the Transport Security Amendment (Serious Crime) Bill 2020.
Australia thanks the FBI for its cooperation, along with the 18 countries that worked with the AFP through a EUROPOL Operational Task Force to maintain the integrity of AN0M.
New Richmond bridge and bypass to cut traffic and create jobs
A new Richmond bridge and bypass will now become a reality, cutting travel time and creating jobs, following an additional $250 million investment from the Morrison and Berejiklian governments.
The new two lane bridge across the Hawkesbury River will also include a bypass of Richmond and North Richmond, creating an estimated 850 direct and indirect jobs.
The funding boost includes $200 million from the Commonwealth and $50 million in the upcoming 2021-22 NSW Budget, and brings the total joint commitment to $500 million.
The preferred route will involve a bypass of North Richmond connecting to a new two-lane bridge north of the existing bridge. A new roadway will bypass Richmond to the south, connecting from Old Kurrajong Road to the Driftway.
The community has now been invited to give feedback on the proposed route, supporting road alignments, community impacts, and potential revitalisation of the Richmond and North Richmond town centres.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Commonwealth’s $400 million commitment to the project would help improve road safety and reduce travel times in the area, and support the future growth of Western Sydney.
“This major investment demonstrates our commitment to the Western Sydney economy, its residents, workers and businesses by busting congestion, improving safety and creating jobs,” the Prime Minister said.
“This critical infrastructure will alleviate the long-term bottleneck between Richmond and North Richmond created from the existing Richmond Bridge operating at capacity during peak hour, helping make the commute to and from work significantly easier.
“Our record infrastructure funding right across Australia is creating jobs, boosting business investment, while securing Australia’s COVID recovery.”
Premier of New South Wales Gladys Berejiklian said the Commonwealth and NSW governments have a strong record of working together to deliver crucial road infrastructure right across the state, like this project at Richmond.
“The NSW Government is continuing to invest in major road infrastructure projects because we know improving our road network makes a real difference to people’s lives, while also providing much needed local jobs,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The new bridge is proposed to be built 500 metres downstream from the current Richmond Bridge, which currently funnels more than 31,000 vehicles each day directly through the already busy Richmond and North Richmond town centres.”
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said this was one of the many congestion busting projects being delivered by the Morrison Government as part of its $110 billion 10-year infrastructure pipeline to help commuters get home sooner and safer.
“This additional funding commitment for this critical infrastructure project follows robust consultation with the local community to ensure that the project delivers the greatest travel time savings, has no direct impact to heritage listed properties and has less impact on endangered ecological communities – which were all recurring themes out of the consultation process,” Minister Fletcher said.
“Once completed, the bridge duplication and bypass will cut travel time for drivers by up to 12 minutes, boosting productivity and busting congestion for commuters.”
New South Wales Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said this year’s Budget will continue the NSW Government’s investment in vital road upgrades to keep people safe while also supporting our state’s economic growth.
“We know every dollar spent on these upgrades at Richmond and North Richmond will make a big difference to drivers in this area every day and at the same time will provide much needed jobs during our economic recovery from the pandemic,” Mr Perrottet said.
New South Wales Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the preferred option includes upgrading six intersections, existing roads and building new road sections, as well as funding active transport.
“The new bridge will provide a new connection for road users between Bells Line of Road and the main road network, while the existing Richmond Bridge will continue to provide a vital link between Richmond and North Richmond,” Mr Constance said.
“Recent intersection upgrades at Kurrajong and Old Kurrajong roads and Grose Vale and Bells Line of Road are already improving traffic in the area, alongside current works at the intersection of March and Bosworth streets.”
Face-to-face community information sessions will be held on Wednesday 16 June from 5pm to 7pmand on Saturday 19 June from 10am to 12pm at the North Richmond Community Centre.
An online information session will also be held on Monday 28 June from 4pm to 5pm on the NSW Roads Facebook page at facebook.com/NSWRoads.
Community consultation closes on Monday 5 July, with all feedback to be considered by Transport for NSW. For more information, visit nswroads.work/richmond-bridge.
The new two lane bridge across the Hawkesbury River will also include a bypass of Richmond and North Richmond, creating an estimated 850 direct and indirect jobs.
The funding boost includes $200 million from the Commonwealth and $50 million in the upcoming 2021-22 NSW Budget, and brings the total joint commitment to $500 million.
The preferred route will involve a bypass of North Richmond connecting to a new two-lane bridge north of the existing bridge. A new roadway will bypass Richmond to the south, connecting from Old Kurrajong Road to the Driftway.
The community has now been invited to give feedback on the proposed route, supporting road alignments, community impacts, and potential revitalisation of the Richmond and North Richmond town centres.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Commonwealth’s $400 million commitment to the project would help improve road safety and reduce travel times in the area, and support the future growth of Western Sydney.
“This major investment demonstrates our commitment to the Western Sydney economy, its residents, workers and businesses by busting congestion, improving safety and creating jobs,” the Prime Minister said.
“This critical infrastructure will alleviate the long-term bottleneck between Richmond and North Richmond created from the existing Richmond Bridge operating at capacity during peak hour, helping make the commute to and from work significantly easier.
“Our record infrastructure funding right across Australia is creating jobs, boosting business investment, while securing Australia’s COVID recovery.”
Premier of New South Wales Gladys Berejiklian said the Commonwealth and NSW governments have a strong record of working together to deliver crucial road infrastructure right across the state, like this project at Richmond.
“The NSW Government is continuing to invest in major road infrastructure projects because we know improving our road network makes a real difference to people’s lives, while also providing much needed local jobs,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The new bridge is proposed to be built 500 metres downstream from the current Richmond Bridge, which currently funnels more than 31,000 vehicles each day directly through the already busy Richmond and North Richmond town centres.”
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said this was one of the many congestion busting projects being delivered by the Morrison Government as part of its $110 billion 10-year infrastructure pipeline to help commuters get home sooner and safer.
“This additional funding commitment for this critical infrastructure project follows robust consultation with the local community to ensure that the project delivers the greatest travel time savings, has no direct impact to heritage listed properties and has less impact on endangered ecological communities – which were all recurring themes out of the consultation process,” Minister Fletcher said.
“Once completed, the bridge duplication and bypass will cut travel time for drivers by up to 12 minutes, boosting productivity and busting congestion for commuters.”
New South Wales Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said this year’s Budget will continue the NSW Government’s investment in vital road upgrades to keep people safe while also supporting our state’s economic growth.
“We know every dollar spent on these upgrades at Richmond and North Richmond will make a big difference to drivers in this area every day and at the same time will provide much needed jobs during our economic recovery from the pandemic,” Mr Perrottet said.
New South Wales Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the preferred option includes upgrading six intersections, existing roads and building new road sections, as well as funding active transport.
“The new bridge will provide a new connection for road users between Bells Line of Road and the main road network, while the existing Richmond Bridge will continue to provide a vital link between Richmond and North Richmond,” Mr Constance said.
“Recent intersection upgrades at Kurrajong and Old Kurrajong roads and Grose Vale and Bells Line of Road are already improving traffic in the area, alongside current works at the intersection of March and Bosworth streets.”
Face-to-face community information sessions will be held on Wednesday 16 June from 5pm to 7pmand on Saturday 19 June from 10am to 12pm at the North Richmond Community Centre.
An online information session will also be held on Monday 28 June from 4pm to 5pm on the NSW Roads Facebook page at facebook.com/NSWRoads.
Community consultation closes on Monday 5 July, with all feedback to be considered by Transport for NSW. For more information, visit nswroads.work/richmond-bridge.