The NSW Government has today released a strategic statement outlining its ongoing support for the domestic gas industry, as a driver of new jobs and industry opportunities in regional NSW.
The release of the Strategic Opportunities for Gas in Regional NSW statement coincides with the government’s commitment to investigate a potential Narrabri Special Activation Precinct (SAP), which would streamline planning processes, create new jobs and fuel regional economic development.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said with the recent Independent Planning Commission’s approval of the Narrabri Gas Project and investment around the Narrabri Inland Port, now is the right time to investigate a Narrabri precinct.
“Today we are releasing the NSW Government’s statement of support for the future growth of the gas industry, backing investments like the Narrabri Gas Project that will provide a $3.6 billion economic boost and create around 1,500 new jobs,” Mr Barilaro said.
“This gas project opens up a wide range of industry growth opportunities in manufacturing everything from plastics to fertiliser and construction materials.
“This is great news for the local economy, and it is why the Government will now start investigating a potential Special Activation Precinct in Narrabri.
“We want to create a thriving energy hub in Narrabri focused on value-added production and manufacturing to power long-term job opportunities across the region.”
The NSW Government will work closely with Narrabri Shire Council and local stakeholders on its investigations into a potential Narrabri precinct.
Narrabri Shire Council Mayor, Cr Ron Campbell, said the Narrabri Gas Project gives the potential Narrabri precinct a clear point of difference.
“This commitment is a great win for our region – a Special Activation Precinct would give potential investors confidence to commit to Narrabri and be innovative with the opportunities available here to do business with the world,” Cr Campbell said.
The NSW Government’s Strategic Opportunities for Gas in Regional NSW statement outlines the government’s support for the domestic gas industry, with a comprehensive Future of Gas Strategy to be delivered in 2021.
Gas statement: https://www.nsw.gov.au/gas-statement
SAP page: https://www.nsw.gov.au/narrabrisap
Author: admin
ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR STATE’S FIRST SMART MOTORWAY
Drivers in Sydney are today using the State’s first smart motorway on the M4, after it was switched on for a month long trial.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the $600 million M4 Smart Motorway project will provide safer and more reliable trips.
“Crews have been working hard since December 2017 to build the infrastructure needed for this amazing system, which will improve travel times for more than 150,000 vehicles using the M4 each day,” Mr Constance said.
“This morning we saw the overhead gantries activated between Penrith and Parramatta, with the rest of the new technology being switched on over the next month to allow drivers to get used to the changes.
“Journeys along the M4 will now look different so we really need drivers to be aware of the changed traffic conditions and are encouraging drivers to take extra care.”
Transport for NSW Chief Operations Officer Howard Collins said the new ramp signals and overhead gantries will improve traffic flow.
“This technology will ensure less stop-start traffic and sudden braking at some of the most congested points along the motorway,” Mr Collins said.
“Once all systems are switched on, they will talk to each other and automatically adjust to incidents without a manual operator intervening which is the way of the future.
“When the entire M4 Smart Motorway is operational, journey times along the M4 between Penrith and Parramatta are expected to be reduced by up to 15 minutes in the morning peak.”
The trial will run through to Sunday 13 December, with the M4 Smart Motorway on schedule to be fully activated later this year.
RBA confirms JobKeeper saved at least 700,000 jobs
A research discussion paper released by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), confirms what millions of Australians already know – that the Morrison Government’s JobKeeper program was a country saving moment.
The RBA paper titled, How Many Jobs Did JobKeeper Keep, shows the temporary payment helped to reduce “total employment losses by at least 700,000.”
Underlining the incredible impact JobKeeper had in helping to keep businesses in business and Australians in jobs, the RBA found that “overall employment losses would have been twice as large over the first half of 2020 without JobKeeper.”
The report further stated that “JobKeeper played an important role in cushioning the decline in employment over the first half of 2020.”
For the six months to the end of September, around $70 billion in JobKeeper payments were made to around 900,000 businesses supporting more than 3.5 million jobs.
As part of our Economic Recovery Plan the Government extended the temporary JobKeeper Payment by six months through until 28 March 2021.
The extension of the temporary payment recognises that while the economic recovery is underway, some parts of the economy continue to be particularly affected more than others due to health restrictions imposed as a result of COVID-19.
With 650,000 jobs created over the past five months, 80 percent of those Australians who either lost their jobs or saw their working hours reduced to zero at the start of the pandemic are now back at work.
This has seen the effective unemployment rate come down from around 15 per cent in April to 7.4 per cent today.
Our Economic Recovery Plan outlined in the 2020-21 Budget will help to create more jobs, boost our economic recovery and secure Australia’s future.
City set sights on tourism to bolster future of COVID disrupted economy
A fresh approach to unleash Newcastle’s tourism potential will be unveiled by City of Newcastle to attract a wider visitor audience and boost local economic COVID-recovery efforts.
Newcastle’s thriving tourism industry, prior to COVID-19, contributed $1 billion to the local economy each year, with more than 5.1 million international and domestic travellers visiting in 2019.
The City’s draft 2021-2025 Destination Management Plan was created with stakeholders from across the industry, and sets out a raft of initiatives and projects set to stimulate the local tourism economy and increase visitor spend.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said work done now to position Newcastle as a premier tourism destination will play a vital role in the city’s future economic recovery, once travel restrictions ease further.
“The City has taken the lead to spearhead a collaborative and consolidated approach toward shaping Newcastle’s future as a destination for visitors and tourists,” said Cr Nelmes.
“With a pipeline of new-build hotel investment, including the five-star Kingsley part of the Crystalbrook Collection in the former City Administration Centre and plans underway to develop the historic Newcastle Post Office into a hotel, and Iris Capital’s QT Hotel, Newcastle is well positioned to attract a new wave of domestic and international visitors, once travel restrictions ease further.
“The City is committed to driving the growth and sustainability of the visitor economy with a new tourism plan designed as a visionary tool, instrumental to driving Newcastle’s social and economic recovery.
“The Destination Management Plan provides our City with a blueprint to work together across government and industry to create meaningful partnerships in order to achieve a shared vision for Newcastle as a premier visitor destination, showcasing the City’s rich art, cultural and culinary scene, a vibrant night-time economy and experiences that celebrate our natural environment and creative community.
“The Plan highlights the significant opportunity for a tourism-led economic recovery from signature attractions, while developing tourism products and experiences, particularly across places like Blackbutt Reserve, the Bathers Way, Newcastle Art Gallery, and Fort Scratchley.
“We aim to build a thriving visitor economy in Newcastle that will lead to population, economic and jobs growth, and our City’s success will be one shared by the greater Hunter Region, NSW and Australia.
“To succeed as a sector, industry, government and operators need to collaborate and find ways to work together, by positioning Newcastle as the destination of choice in order to attract the tourist dollar, in an increasingly competitive market.”
Councillors will vote at tonight’s Ordinary Council Meeting to place the draft Destination Management Plan on public exhibition from 25 November 2020 until 6 January 2021.
Man presents to hospital with gunshot wounds – Hunter Valley
Police are investigating after a man presented to a Hunter hospital with gunshot wounds early this morning.
Just after 4am (Tuesday 24 November 2020), a 43-year-old man presented to Scone Hospital with gunshot wounds to his leg and ankle – he is currently being transported to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition with non-life threatening injuries.
Police have been told the injured man was driving north on the New England Highway, near Wingen, about midnight, when he pulled over after a white sedan approached from behind.
The injured man was involved in an altercation with two men from the white sedan, before a number of shots were fired and the pair fled. He reportedly drove to friend’s home in Blandford before being taken to Scone Hospital.
Officers from the Hunter Valley Police District have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding how the man sustained his injuries.
As police continue their inquiries, they are urging anyone who may have information to contact Scone Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Byron Bay restaurant fined $5,000 for breaching COVID Public Health Orders
A Byron Bay restaurant has been issued with a $5,000 fine for an alleged breach of Ministerial Directions under the Public Health Act at the weekend.
As a part of ‘Operation Summer Safe 2020’ and ‘Operation Schoolies 2020’, licensing police from Northern Region conducted a deployment to Byron Bay between Saturday 21 and Monday 23 November, assessing venue compliance with regards to the Public Health Orders.
As a result of inquiries, police attended a restaurant on Jonson Street, where they observed more than the designated one person per four square metres inside the venue, over a two-day period.
Following further inquiries, police contacted the business owner yesterday (Monday 23 November 2020) and issued a $5,000 Penalty Infringement Notice for “Fail to comply with noticed direction in relation to Section 7/8/9 – COVID-19 – Corporation”.
Tweed/Byron Police District Commander, Superintendent Dave Roptell said as thousands of school leavers arrive in Byron this week, venues need to be aware of their responsibilities in maintaining a COVID-Safe environment.
“There are Year 12 students coming to Byron Bay from all across Australia, including Victoria, Queensland and Greater Sydney.
“Our specialised licensing police will continue to conduct business inspections and compliance checks throughout the entire ‘Schoolies’ and ‘Summer Safe’ operations, to ensure venues have their COVID-Safety plans up-to-date and are doing their bit to protect the Northern NSW community,” Supt Roptell said.
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
Counting koalas won’t save national treasure
A koala census won’t save our national treasure and a moratorium on the clearing of critical habitat is still urgently needed, the Greens say.
Responding to the Environment Minister’s announcement today of a koala census to identify key habitat, Greens Environment Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“A koala census won’t save our national treasure from the Morrison Government.
“Koalas have been counted in critical habitat areas only for the Government to ignore that data and approve mining and development projects that imperil the koalas calling that land home.
“Just last month, the Environment Minister approved a quarry at Pt Stephens which will destroy 52ha of critical habitat for the endangered species.
“Unless habitat clearing is stopped, koalas will soon be extinct.
“The Greens will move in the Parliament for a moratorium on habitat clearing to save the koala from extinction.
“Off the back of the worst bushfires in history which killed a third of NSW’s koala population and destroyed millions of hectares of habitat across the country, no approvals for developments on koala land should be given.
“The Morrison Government has had seven years to develop a recovery plan for the koala, a census isn’t enough, the species needs real protection under our national environment laws.
“It’s clear the government isn’t serious about saving the koala and cannot be trusted to protect it with or without a census.”
$41.7 million boost to commercialise lifesaving medical discoveries
An innovative nasal treatment to fight COVID-19, common colds and flu is being taken to the next stage of testing, thanks to the Morrison Government’s $500 million Biomedical Translation Fund.
Developed by Australian biotech company Ena Respiratory, INNA-051 works by stimulating the innate immune system, the first line of defence against the invasion of pathogens into the body.
The Government, alongside Brandon Capital Partners has committed $11.7 million to test the nasal spray treatment that targets the primary site of most respiratory virus infections, including SARS-CoV-2, the strain of coronavirus that causes COVID-19, and influenza.
The program has been designed so that if successful, INNA-051 will be manufactured and formulated in Australia, creating manufacturing jobs into the future.
In addition, four further projects will also share in almost $30 million dollars to commercialise their ideas. Each of these projects provide the potential to greatly improve the treatment for issues such as respiratory diseases, chronic pain and autoimmune diseases.
Minister for Health Greg Hunt said successful outcomes of the projects will improve the lives of Australians and potentially millions of people around the world.
“Australia’s health and medical researchers are world class and this investment will continue the proud Australian tradition of discovery and translation that saves lives and improves lives,” Minister Hunt said.
“The Morrison Government is backing Australia’s next generation of medical advances and this investment means these businesses have the potential to take their technology to the next level.”
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said this funding underpins the Morrison Government’s determination to deliver better health outcomes, while also encouraging economic growth and creating jobs.
“The Biomedical Translation Fund fosters potential breakthroughs that will not only improve people’s lives, but also help Australian companies create more jobs and grow into new markets,” Minister Andrews said.
“The Morrison Government is looking to develop our manufacturing capacity in medical products and this fund is yet another way we can help commercialise great Australian ideas right here at home.”
Funding consists of equal parts Commonwealth and private sector funding and is operated by three private sector fund managers: Brandon Capital Partners, OneVentures Healthcare Fund and BioScience Managers.
The other four investments made through the Fund are:
- OneVentures Healthcare Fund has committed $9.5 million to Kira Biotech. Kira Biotech is researching treatments for autoimmune disease, a condition where the immune system attacks healthy cells or the body’s organs. Kira Biotech’s research directs components of the body’s normal immune response to the impaired cells of a person suffering from an autoimmune disease, allowing the immune system to work properly.
- BioScience Managers has committed $10 million to medical device company Closed Loop Medical. Closed Loop Medical’s technology aims to improve treatments for conditions of the body’s nervous system. The technology being developed will record and measure a person’s unique response to stimulation and provide a tailored outcome for the patient. The technology has the potential to be applied to disorders including Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and bladder dysfunction.
- BioScience Managers has also committed $5 million to Adherium. Adherium is developing a digital medication monitoring system for people with respiratory diseases. The monitoring system will initially help people with conditions like asthma, by tracking their drug usage and issuing reminders to ensure they take their medication.
- Brandon Capital Partners’ MRCF BTF Fund has invested more than $5 million in Polyactiva. Polyactiva’s novel polymer technology delivers medication to the eyes. Its lead product will be used for treating glaucoma, the leading cause of blindness affecting 70 million people globally. Polyactiva’s novel delivery technology will provide six months of therapy from a single treatment, overcoming many of the challenges of delivering medication with eye drops.
The Morrison Government continues to invest in the cutting-edge medical technologies and treatments that will save lives, while growing a sector that can create jobs for Australians now and into the future.
A moment to reflect and say thanks to organ and tissue donors and their families
Today is DonateLife Thank You Day – an annual day where we pause, reflect, and thank donors and their families for generously giving the gift of life.
Federal Minister responsible for organ and tissue donation, Mark Coulton, said the gift of organ and tissue donation is a generous act that is life-changing for another person.
“On DonateLife Thank You Day we stop and give thanks to those who have given someone hope and an opportunity to continue life,” Minister Coulton said.
In 2019, 1,683 lives were transformed by the generosity of 548 deceased and 239 living organ donors and their families that said ‘yes’ to organ donation. A further 12,000 Australians benefited from eye and tissue donation.
“Australia has a world class transplant clinical system but ultimately the gift of a transplant is not possible without donors and their families,” Minister Coulton said.
“Because over 4,500 donors and their families said ‘yes’ to organ and tissue donation since the national program began in 2009, more than 13,000 transplant recipients and their families say thank you.”
“For those waiting for a transplant, organ and tissue donation can mean the difference between life and death, being healthy and sick, between seeing and being blind, or between being active and never walking again. It means that people can resume an active life with their family, in their workplace, their school and their community.
“Australians of all ages, faiths and cultural backgrounds might one day be in need of an organ or tissue transplant.
“I encourage all Australians to reflect on the life-changing benefits of organ and tissue donation and to show your support by joining the Australian Organ Donor Register at donatelife.gov.au – it’s easy and takes less than a minute – and have the all-important conversation with your family, so they know your intentions.”
Melbourne Airport Rail to create jobs for years to come
The Melbourne Airport Rail Link route will take travellers into the heart of the CBD in less than 30 minutes following an historic agreement announced today between the Australian and Victorian governments
Prime Minister Scott Morrison joined Premier Daniel Andrews to announce the route for the project, which will connect Victoria’s regional and metropolitan rail networks to the airport for the first time.
From 2029, Victorians will be able to catch a train directly from the CBD to the airport.
“The airport link is a nationally significant project and Victorians have been waiting a long time for it to become a reality. With construction to start in 2022, the agreement will support up to 8,000 jobs during construction,” the Prime Minister said.
“When complete, the link will slash travel times, bust congestion and be a major boost to the economy.”
Airport trains will run through the Metro Tunnel, meaning families in the booming south-eastern suburbs can get to the airport without changing trains, and the majority of Victorians can get to the airport with just one interchange from their closest station.
It also means that tourists visiting Victoria will be able to get from the airport to regional Victoria in a hassle-free way – meaning more visitors and jobs for our regions.
Melbourne Airport Rail will see 10-minute turn-up-and-go services running from Melbourne Airport through the heart of the city, providing direct connections to key sites including Melbourne University, the Parkville medical precinct, Melbourne Central and Flinders Street stations and the St Kilda Road business precinct.
Premier Daniel Andrews said today’s announcement was a historic day for all of Victoria.
“This project has been talked about for a long time, its key to our recovery and this design means it will benefit all Victorians,” Mr Andrews said.
“As we continue our recovery, we need a long-term plan. We need a pipeline of jobs for Victorians looking for work now, and for those who will need jobs in the future. We said we’d deliver this project, and we’re keeping our promise.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said this vital piece of infrastructure would transform travel to and from Melbourne Airport.
“The aviation industry is so important to Australia’s economy and by investing in this rail link, we’re making it even easier for Victorians to travel to and from Melbourne Airport,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“This investment is an important part of the economic road back – it will be a job-creator for Victorians and a huge boost to so many local businesses across the construction industry.”
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said a rail line to the airport was long overdue for Melbourne.
“Our objective has always been to deliver a rail connection that is fast, affordable and built as quickly as possible,” Mr Tudge said.
“For those in the south east it will mean a trip to the airport without changing trains, and for others just one change.”
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said that Airport Rail via Sunshine means that the majority of Victorians can access the airport by rail, as quickly as possible.
“This will give Victorians the fastest, most direct trip to the airport through the Metro Tunnel which will deliver more trains, more often.”
Melbourne’s west will also have direct airport access via a single interchange at Sunshine Station, or Footscray Station for Werribee and Williamstown line passengers.
Passengers on all city loop trains will be able to connect to airport trains at Flinders Street and Melbourne Central.
Passengers from the regional centres of Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo will travel to the airport via a single interchange at Sunshine, while passengers from Gippsland will be connected via a single interchange at a choice of locations along the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines.
It delivers the best possible integration with the existing network and paves the way for future improvements to regional and western metropolitan lines.
Melbourne Airport Rail will use the new fleet of High Capacity Metro Trains – the biggest and most passenger-friendly trains on Victoria’s train network.
The Victorian and Australian governments have committed $5 billion each in funding. Detailed planning and development work is currently underway, which will inform more detailed cost estimates.
Construction will begin in 2022, with a target completion date for Melbourne Airport Rail of 2029 – subject to the business case and relevant Victorian and Federal planning, environmental and other government approvals.