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Real estate, robotics and entrepreneurship are just some of the 20 new virtual Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses to be made available to every NSW Government high school by 2022.
As part of the Curriculum Review, the NSW Government committed to providing opportunities for credit towards qualifications in apprenticeships in high demand areas such as engineering and robotics. The virtual courses are the first stage of delivering on this commitment.
In addition to existing face-to-face VET, Year 11 and 12 students will have the opportunity to study teacher-led, digitally-enabled virtual TAFE NSW courses that will give them in-demand skills for the workplace. These courses will form part of their HSC and contribute to their ATAR.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the new courses are part of the NSW Government’s Curriculum Reform.
“We want to ensure NSW students receive world-class skills training to prepare them for the jobs of the future,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“These courses will help students build skills across emerging industries such as advanced manufacturing, technology and engineering.”
The new virtual VET courses, specifically designed for high school students with digitally-enabled and interactive lessons, cover a range of future-focussed industry sectors including cyber security, big data, accounting, gaming, community and health services.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said the NSW Government is committed to meeting skill shortages and enhancing access to exciting industries.
“These new virtual courses are a win-win for students. Not only does it make them instantly employable, they also have the choice to pursue further education in fields with plenty of career opportunities,” Mr Lee said.
“Demand for jobs like cyber security specialists is huge and growing, and these courses are designed to help meet that need. From 2022, a student interested cyber security will have access to this new online course to get started in the fast-growing tech sector.”
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said developing these online courses was also about making VET more available in regional NSW.
“These are exciting areas for young people to be studying and puts them in the best place to find a job in dynamic industries. Students with a keen interest in future-focussed courses will be able to link up with others, no matter where they go to school across NSW,” Ms Mitchell said.
Students will graduate with a nationally recognised VET qualification that forms part of their HSC and contributes to an ATAR.

The NSW Government is giving the State’s visitor economy a $6 million boost through funding and marketing programs to turbocharge Sydney and regional economies and create more jobs.
Three funding streams to support regional businesses engaged in the visitor economy open today, while an expanded multi-channel tourism campaign profiling Greater Sydney includes a new television commercial launched over the weekend during the Australian Open.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said these activities, led by Destination NSW, would help position the NSW visitor economy for recovery and long-term growth.
“NSW is open for business and welcoming visitors, and business owners and entrepreneurs are hungry for growth and new opportunities – these programs will help visitor economy stakeholders to achieve just that,” Mr Ayres said.
“We are confident our $2.5 million investment in the marketing campaign, ‘Sydney Love It Like You Mean It’ will complement other Government initiatives such as Sunset Piazza and Dine & Discover to restore vibrancy to Greater Sydney and be a welcome boost to get businesses back on track.
“The campaign has generated more than 42,000 leads to visitor economy businesses since launching late last year. Now we’re extending through to April, calling on Sydneysiders to book a multi-day staycation, enjoy a meal, a performance or retail therapy, and to visit an attraction to get city tills ringing again.
“We are also supporting the regions with $3.5 million to kick-start investment in attractions and visitor infrastructure, refresh existing tourism products and secure or create new business event opportunities.”
The $6 million NSW Government visitor economy initiatives are:

• Tourism Product Development Fund ($3 million – closes 31 March)

o   Stream 1 – Refresh and Renew Fund: offering $10,000 grants to regional tourism operators to update their product or experience
o   Stream 2 – Experience Enhancement Fund: provides between $50,000 and $150,000 in matched funding to assist operators upgrade existing accommodation to improve their star rating, upgrade business and leisure event venues and facilities, repurpose existing infrastructure to provide new facilities or experiences not currently available within the destination, or to create new tourism attractions or experiences

• Regional Business Event Development Fund ($500,000 – closes 30 April): grants of up to $30,000 to create, attract and support business events for regional NSW, and to motivate business event owners to incorporate regional NSW in their plans
• ‘Sydney Love It Like You Mean It’ campaign ($2.5 million): full program includes radio, billboards, digital and social advertising promoting experiences and attractions across Greater Sydney. Television commercial airing from 14 February.

For information about the funding programs and to apply, visit www.destinationnsw.com.au.
For more inspiration from ‘Sydney Love It Like You Mean It’, visit www.sydney.com/love-sydney.

More than $16 million from the NSW Government’s COVID-19 stimulus fund will help deliver more quality green public space on Crown land across Greater Sydney.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the new Greater Sydney Crown Land Open Space Activation Program would fund upgrades to Crown land and community facilities.
“The last 12 months has taught us the importance of green open space and creating public places where people can safely meet, congregate and relax,” Mr Stokes said.
“It makes good sense that by improving Crown land and public infrastructure we can make better use of the assets we already have to create more open space for the community to enjoy.
“These projects will also support local jobs and economies with work for tradespeople and materials suppliers.”
In addition to the funding, Crown land will be reviewed to identify sites for future activation.
Local councils will be invited to participate in partnership opportunities for activation and ongoing management of shortlisted sites for activation, which will include new or improved public parkland reserves, foreshore precincts and civic spaces such as town squares.
The program will also complement the Sydney Green Grid, which was bolstered by a $3 million metropolitan green space program launched in July to create more walking trails, bike paths and picnic spots that would build links between green spaces throughout Sydney.
An additional $500,000 over the next two years will be used to protect sensitive nature reserves being impacted by unauthorised activities such as four-wheel driving, dirt bike riding and rubbish dumping.
Mr Stokes said the funding will contribute to the installation of fencing, bollards, cabling, gates and signage on reserves where these activities have caused environmental damage.
“This funding will help local councils trying to manage hotspots where these inappropriate activities occur. Fencing and gates will also help manage bushfire risk by keeping reserves free of accumulated rubbish,” Mr Stokes said.
The projects are among a range of stimulus projects being funded on Crown land sites across Greater Sydney, with others including:

• $2 million to upgrade the Hungry Point walking track at Cronulla including construction of a coastal viewing platform;
• $1.5 million towards restoration of a former railway tunnel at Glenbrook in the Blue Mountains so it can be reactivated as a recreational trail;
• $1.5 million to help Penrith City Council restore a historic former police cottage at Emu Plains;
• $1.5 million to undertake essential maintenance work on the historic Meadowbank Bridge and its pedestrian path and cycleway;
• $1.5 million to remove dilapidated cottages from the Georges River foreshore at Illawong to restore the land to public open space;
• $1.135 million for maintenance and repair work at the former Prince Henry Hospital site at Little Bay including heritage-listed structures;
• $1 million to restore the heritage-listed South Head Signal Station at Vaucluse;
• $500,000 for improvement works at Bidjigal Reserve in Baulkham Hills including bushland restoration and upgrades to walking trails, signage and stormwater infrastructure;
• $250,000 to clean up and assess land at Northmead for contamination on the site of a mechanical workshop.

For the first time the State’s best teachers will have an opportunity to fast track their careers and become principals in half the time.
Each year 30 excelling teachers and 20 teaching graduates can apply to participate in a new NSW Government program to turbo-charge their careers to the level of principal within 10 years.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the rigorous program will require participants to learn from leading teachers at selected schools, participate in a regional placement and excel in a leadership position.
“The Fast Stream program will raise education standards across the State by training our best teachers in our best schools and then requiring them to continue teaching in areas of higher need,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The program will be a competitive and selective employment pathway in Australia. Participating teachers will have to achieve a number of milestones and demonstrate their leadership ability to be successful.”
“Setting a clear pathway to success for people who might otherwise choose a different career sends a strong message – excellent teaching is essential, valued and rewarded in NSW.”
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said bringing our best teachers to regional NSW will benefit both the students and the community.
“Once these teachers get a taste of rural living, the hope is that they will stay regional and take up the better quality of life we have on offer,” Mr Barilaro said.
“This is about building a safer and stronger regional NSW by giving our kids the best education possible while creating valuable teaching jobs in the bush.”
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the Fast Stream program is unapologetically selective, competitive, and incredibly rewarding in the long term.
“To enter the Fast Stream you have to be the best, and you must remain the best,” Ms Mitchell said.
“We want the future leaders – the ones that will transform the education system of tomorrow through academic excellence, outstanding ability in front of a class, and ambition.
“Ensuring our best graduates and teachers spend time in regional NSW will help lift our regional schools. In line with our Rural and Remote Education Strategy, this policy is focused on securing a safer and stronger regional NSW through improved student outcomes in the regions.
“For those who are successful, they will be fast-tracked into a principal role – which can take 20 years – in under 10.”
The Fast Stream program is a component of the School Success Model and will start in Term 1 2022. Teachers and graduate students will complete a rigorous selection process. Teachers will participate in the program for up to 10 years before being offered the opportunity of a Principal position.

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.

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 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.

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.