Category: NSW News

Two eye-catching pink buses will start driving passengers across Sydney in celebration of the 46th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival 2024.

The wrapped buses will be on the road throughout the Mardi Gras season before taking part in the parade on Saturday 2 March. 

Rainbow Families will proudly take a seat in the decorated Transit Systems buses for the parade, joining the 200-float street parade as parts of Transport for NSW’s float as it rolls through Oxford Street, Flinders Street and Anzac Parade.

Bus Operator Transit Systems is showcasing its commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment, servicing public transport routes across Sydney.

The pink bus wraps align with the Mardi Gras Festival 2024 theme, “Our Future” as Transit Systems and Transport for NSW focus on attracting the next generation of workers and creating a welcoming environment across all of our transport networks.

During the Mardi Gras season, Sydneysiders will also spot rainbow buses in North Sydney and the Northern Beaches, a “Happy Mardi Gras” wrapped tram on the L2 & L3 and decorations across city train and light rail stations.

Transport Minister, Jo Haylen, said:

“The Sydney Mardi Gras is a celebration of diversity and inclusion, and I am thrilled to see our buses are part of the festivities.”

“With over 12,000 marchers for the Mardi Gras Parade, public transport will be playing a major role, in helping passengers get to where they need to go, but also in the parade itself.”

“Public transport should be a safe place for all and I thank Transit Systems for their work in celebrating diversity.”

Rainbow Families, Bern Foley, said:

“We are thrilled to see public transport represented in the Mardi Gras Parade, and it has already started the sharing of transport stories about our experiences and challenges.”

“Having this amazing bus in our Rainbow Families entry has meant we can ensure accessibility, allowing for more of our community members to take part. Hopefully we can continue to improve the journey as we ensure a more inclusive future together.”

“We are proud to partner with Transit Systems in ensuring each and every passenger feels safe and respected.”

Transit Systems CEO, Michael McGee, said:

“Our support for the Mardi Gras reflects our commitment to celebrating diversity and promoting a positive, accepting culture within our organisation.”

“We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace where individuals feel comfortable expressing their authentic selves. At Transit Systems, we envision a future where everyone is celebrated for their unique identities.”

Transport for NSW Secretary, Josh Murray. said:

“These bus wraps will serve as a moving billboard, promoting the values of inclusion and support throughout Sydney.”

“It is great to see our private operators investing in this important celebration and working hard to make all their passengers feel welcome on public transport.”

The NSW Government is continuing to take swift action to the threat of imported red fire ants with amendments to the Biosecurity (Fire Ants) Emergency Order.

These amendments will strengthen the requirements for Queensland turf suppliers and installers, as part of its hardline approach to stop fire ants from entering the state.

The movement of turf from Southeast Queensland remains a high-risk carrier material of fire ants and has been linked to the fire ant nest found in Murwillumbah in late November 2023.

Businesses, individuals and the turf industry are now being asked to get behind the fight against fire ants by ensuring their turf products are treated and fire ant free, to reduce the risk of fire ants spreading into NSW.

Turf sourced from the fire ant infested area of Queensland must now be treated at the point of lay in NSW. Installers must either treat turf immediately following lay, or store in preventative conditions until installation.

A Record of Movement Declaration must be completed by anyone who initiates the movement of turf from either a fire-ant-infested area in Queensland or movement control area in NSW.

Queensland-sourced turf must also include the upload of a plant health certificate, ensuring that the supplier has complied with all treatment, harvest and transport requirements in the order.

Chemicals used in the treatment of the turf must be approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) and used in accordance with label directions and permit conditions.

For businesses ‘on-selling’ turf products, it is crucial that treatment requirements and necessary documentation are passed onto consumers.

This is the latest in the NSW Government’s comprehensive response to the threat of red fire ants, which has included:

• increasing NSW’s funding from $15 million to $95 million to combat the threat
• 300 heavy vehicles stopped and inspected at the NSW/Qld border to check compliance
• reached 200,000 users through the government’s social media fire ant information program. 

For more information about red imported fire ants and the Emergency Order, visit the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) website.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“The NSW Government takes biosecurity seriously and I am committed to doing what is needed to strengthen our controls in the fight against fire ants.

“Fire ants are commonly spread through human activity, such as the movement of materials used for landscaping, building and agriculture, such as soil and turf.

“Fire ants are not marching into NSW; they are being carried, and it’s this human behaviour we are addressing both through education and compliance measures.

“The Emergency Orders already identify and manage the movement of fire ant carrier materials that present high risks of carrying fire ants.

“Turf is a high-risk carrier, providing the perfect environment for ant settlement and movement.

“By applying this treatment and keeping fire ants out of NSW, the turf industry is contributing to protecting our environment and economy.

“The treatment chemical that is now required to be applied to turf products is low toxic, safe to be around humans and animals, low cost, readily available and approved by the APVMA.

“So far, the northern NSW community has played a crucial and proactive role, and we thank them for their cooperation.”

The Biosecurity (Fire Ants) Emergency Order explained:

• The Order places restrictions on the movement into NSW from the fire-ant-infested area of Queensland of fire ant carrier materials including organic mulch, compost, growing media, manure, soil and anything with soil on it, hay, straw, chaff, silage, potted plants, turf, agricultural equipment, earth moving equipment, sand, gravel, chitters, coal fines, coal stone, overburden and decomposed granite. It outlines the requirements for the movement of each carrier into NSW from the fire ant infested area in Qld.
• A person in breach of an emergency order is guilty under the Biosecurity Act 2015 of a category 2 offence, for which the maximum penalties are:
  • in the case of an individual $1,100,000 and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further penalty of $137,500 for each day the offence continues
  • in the case of a corporation $2,200,000 and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further penalty of $275,000 for each day the offence continues.
     

The NSW Government has delivered on another election commitment for small businesses across the state with the launch of the Charter for Small Business.

The Charter gives small business owners a seat at the table and a genuine say in the way government supports businesses across the state. The Charter commits to a stronger partnership with small business and sets out the key principles and actions on the way which the NSW Government will work on with the sector.

The Charter for Small Business is the first of its kind in Australia and reflects the economic and social value that small businesses bring to NSW.

The NSW Government has undertaken extensive stakeholder engagement with peak industry bodies and community organisations to ensure the Charter for Small Business reflects the needs of businesses.

The Charter for Small Business includes 6 key principles and commitments to support its implementation and application in NSW:

• Clear and strong focal point to support small business to start, grow and thrive.
• Stronger engagement on new policy and regulation.
• Listen and respond to red-tape and other pain points.
• Boost government procurement from small businesses.
• Introduce and report on metrics and identify opportunities for supporting small business policy, regulatory and economic settings.
• Deliver key actions and commitments to timeline.

The Charter for Small Business closely follows on from the government’s launch of the Service NSW Business Bureau, which is a key source of advice and personalised support for small business. The Service NSW Business Bureau will oversee the Charter for Small Business, to ensure its commitments and actions benefit the sector.

There are more than 850,000 small businesses in NSW which make up 97% of all businesses in the state. NSW small businesses employ 1.7 million people, which is around 43% of the state’s private sector workforce.

Find out more information about the Charter for Small Business and the Action Plan.

Minister for Small Business Steve Kamper said:

“Having worked in the private sector for more than 30 years, I understand how important it is to work with business owners to make being in business easier.”

“The Charter for Small Business is a nation-leading agreement which reflects our commitment to work in lockstep with small businesses across NSW to inform our policies and programs.”

“We don’t want businesses getting stuck in the mud with government transactions, red tape and paperwork. Every delay costs time and money, 2 things small businesses can’t afford.”

“People in NSW can confidently count on the NSW Government to support our business environment and help small businesses to navigate compliance obligations.”

Business NSW CEO Daniel Hunter said:

“Business NSW continues to welcome the Minister’s support for small business and positive engagement with SMEs on initiatives like procurement reform, the Service NSW Business Bureau and now the Charter for Small Business.

“Our members often tell us that managing government permitting and form-filling is one of the most challenging tasks for their business.

“We want government to not just to listen but to respond to and address red-tape pain points. We believe the new Charter for Small Business will work towards addressing this issue.

“The aim should be to reduce businesses’ need to access concierge services to navigate processes because the processes themselves are becoming more straightforward.

“The Business Bureau – which Business NSW supported when it was launched in October last year – can build on the best-in-class products from Service NSW, which did so much for NSW during the tough times of Covid.”

NSW has started the new school year with a 20 per cent drop in the number of teacher vacancies as the NSW Government continues to tackle the teacher shortage crisis that has plagued the education sector for the past decade.

In a positive sign, the NSW education system began Term 1 2024 with 460 fewer teacher vacancies than the same time last year.

There were 1,782 teacher vacancies in the first week of this school year compared to 2,242 at the same time in 2023.

There has been a significant fall in vacancies in regional, rural and remote NSW, where schools have traditionally been harder to staff. Vacancies in these areas have dropped by almost 25 per cent, from 1,241 at the start of school last year in 2023, to 938 in 2024.

This comes as NSW teachers entered the new school year among the highest paid in the country after the NSW Government struck an historic pay deal in September.

The start of the 2024 school year saw 6,261 teachers appointed to their first permanent role with the Department of Education this term, a massive increase of 4,575 on the same time last year.

The NSW Government is also continuing to deliver on its commitment to make more temporary teachers and support staff permanent and reducing the excessive administrative workload on schools.

Measures the NSW Government has taken to address the teacher shortage include:

• Scrapping the former government’s public sector wage cap and delivering NSW public school teachers the biggest pay rise in a generation
• Improving job security by delivering our commitment to transition 16,000 teachers and support staff on temporary contracts into permanent roles
• Reducing the admin workload by introducing more admin support staff, removing unnecessary tasks, streamlining accreditation requirements, and cutting the volume of policy documents
• Recruitment measures including re-engaging teachers who recently resigned or retired from the profession to return, and expanding the Grow Your Own program
• Improving the classroom environment by banning mobile phones restoring authority to teachers and principals to manage student behaviour
• Developing a teacher housing strategy, priority recruitment support and wellbeing measures as part of our Rural, Regional and Remote Education action plan to attract and retain staff in the bush

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“To see vacancies trending in the right direction – downward – is encouraging after record vacancies under the Liberals and Nationals. We still have a lot of work to do to turn around the shortage, and addressing teacher vacancies remains a key priority for the Minns Government.

“These figures affirm our decision to deliver a once-in-a-generation wage rise to NSW public school teachers, along with our focus on easing teacher workload and improving student behaviour.

“Getting permanent, well paid teachers into our classrooms will pay dividends down the line when it comes to academic outcomes for our students.

“While these are positive numbers, the experience of teachers on the ground is critical. That’s why, unlike the former Liberal National Government, I will continue to listen to our teachers and their real concerns about staff shortages.

“These initiatives are underpinned by a desire to restore respect for the teaching profession and let our school staff know we value the work they do every day in educating our children.”

Construction is set to begin later this month to repair significant landslip damage on Bulli Pass caused by record-breaking rainfall in 2022 in an $8 million dollar project funded by the NSW and Commonwealth Governments.

Transport for NSW (Transport) is committing multiple crews to work side-by-side so the complex repairs starting on Tuesday 27 February 2024 can be completed as quickly as possible, but the work will still require several months of changed traffic conditions on Bulli Pass.

Three landslip sites are located at the top section of Bulli Pass between the M1 Princes Motorway and hairpin bend, with another about one kilometre downhill from the hairpin bend.

The total work area required to repair the four landslip sites is about the size of two Olympic swimming pools.

These landslips occurred when the Illawarra escarpment received almost five times the average monthly rainfall in March 2022, and then eight and a half times the June average.

The road must be closed in both directions overnight for five nights per week for a period of five months while the work is carried out at the sites on the top section of road.

Transport has planned these repairs to be carried out when traffic volumes are lightest – from 7.30pm to 4.30am, Sundays to Thursdays – to minimise the impact on motorists.

Detours will be in place during the road closures either via Lawrence Hargrave Drive or the M1 Princes Motorway and Memorial Drive adding up to 20 minutes to journeys.

Transport has made significant progress on its natural disaster recovery work across the Illawarra and South Coast, having completed more than half of the 100 landslip damage sites on state roads following the severe weather events in 2022.

Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park said:

“This critical work will help make the slopes on Bulli Pass more resilient to future severe weather events.

“Transport for NSW will be installing more than 500 long steel rods, called soil nails, that will add strength to the mountain slope and then applying over 1600 square metres of spray-on concrete, known as shotcrete, to prevent further erosion.

“The crews will also install new drains, repair damaged road pavement and replace guardrails, as needed and help protect this important corridor for the Illawarra.” 

Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart said:

“The landslip-damaged sections of road on Bulli Pass are steep and narrow, making the repairs very challenging, and Transport has engaged contractors with specialist skills and equipment to complete the work.

“The steep sites will involve use of large machinery, such as long-reach excavators, and workers abseiling on the slope to carry out some of the repairs.

“The conditions of the road and work involved create a unique set of risks and to keep motorists and workers safe, there needs to be a combination of full road closures and partial lane closures while the work is carried out.”

The NSW Government is taking steps to ensure the protection of NSW’s State Fish, the Blue Groper, with new changes to prohibit fishing a Blue Groper by any method.

Whilst the Blue Groper has been protected from spearfishing since 1969 and commercial fishing since 1980, these new changes will protect it from other forms of fishing including line fishing.

These changes will initially be implemented for a 12-month trial period during which time the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), will consult with stakeholders and the broader community on longer term changes to Blue Groper fishing rules.

Given the cultural significance of the species to many Aboriginal people the new changes will not apply to Aboriginal cultural fishing.

These changes follow recent spearfishing incidents involving Blue Gropers in Sydney and Jervis Bay.

Under the new rules, a person found contravening the closure and taking Blue Groper in NSW by any method may face a $500 penalty infringement notice and/or a maximum court-imposed fines of $22,000 or imprisonment for 6 months (or both) for a first offence.

For a second or subsequent offence a perpetrator may receive a $44,000 fine or imprisonment for 12 months (or both).

To Support the changes, DPI Fisheries will undertake education activities, including social media reminders, to increase awareness of responsible fishing practices.

Blue Gropers were made the state fish of New South Wales in 1998 and can be found in shallow coastal waters.

Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty said:

“We have heard the community concerns, and these new rules will make it clear to all water users that these fish should be admired but not targeted.”

“With their bright blue colour, alongside their placid and curious nature, there is little wonder why these beautiful big fish are so well loved by our coastal communities.”

“While most fishers complied with the previous rules for targeting Blue Groper, prohibiting line fishing will improve compliance by creating the same rules for all recreational fishers and enhance the protection of this iconic fish.”

“Education is key in protecting this iconic species, with DPI Fisheries commencing a statewide advisory campaign to ensure all fishers are aware of these new rules.”

The NSW Government is increasing support for students with disability through an expansion of support classes in mainstream schools. This is part of the NSW Government’s plan to improve equity and ensure every student has access to a high-quality public education.

An extra 243 support classes have been approved to open in 2024, bringing the total to almost 4,500 support classes across all public education settings.

It means more than 1,500 students with a disability will have a place in a NSW public school support class this year.

The majority of these classes will be established in mainstream public schools while 12 additional classes will open in Schools for Specific Purposes (SSPs).

The expansion comes as the NSW Government is tackling a shortage of teachers that has impacted support classes. The NSW Government is deploying a multi-pronged approach to address the challenge, from scholarships and professional learning opportunities to admin reduction and the biggest payrise for NSW teachers in 30 years.  

Support classes in mainstream public schools are available for students with moderate to high learning and support needs, such as intellectual and/or physical disability, mental health issues, autism, sensory impairment and behaviour disorders.

There are 206,000 students with disability in NSW public schools, with the majority (86 per cent) learning in a mainstream classroom in a mainstream public school.

Eleven per cent of students with disability attend support classes in mainstream schools and three per cent are enrolled in schools for specific purposes.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“We’re committed to building a more inclusive public education system, providing all students with an education that best meets their individual learning and development needs.

“This additional support for students with disability provides an opportunity for more specialised, intense support for students with disability and those with higher support needs.

“Our new Plan for NSW Public Education has equity as its centrepiece to ensure that every student receives a high-quality education.

“Support classes can only help students if they are adequately staffed by qualified teachers – that’s why we are so focussed on tackling the statewide teacher shortage and doing so is key to the success of these classes.”

Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Inclusion, Kate Washington said:

“The NSW Labor Government is committed to improving inclusion and accessibility across all mainstream services, including in our wonderful public schools.

“We’re working hard to remove barriers that students with disability face in accessing safe, quality and inclusive education in public schools.

“We want young people with disability to have the support they need to achieve their full potential – increasing support classes is an important step.”

The Government is asking travellers, arriving in NSW from Europe or Asia, to check their luggage for brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys.

The smelly pest was recently detected in a NSW home, after a traveller who had arrived from Asia put the stink bug in a jar and froze it, before calling the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

Confirmed as a brown marmorated stink bug by DPI scientists, further investigations detected another stink bug hidden in the pocket of a pair of pants from the luggage.

DPI is undertaking ongoing surveillance to ensure no stink bugs have escaped or established outside the house.

Brown marmorated stink bugs are known to stow away in cargo from the northern hemisphere from September to April.

The pest hibernates in winter and detection now in summer is crucial.

Feeding on more than 300 plant species, it would be extremely difficult and expensive to manage if allowed to establish in Australia as it is not easily controlled with pesticides.

An adult brown marmorated stink bug is approximately 12 to 17 mm long and 7 to 10 mm wide, about the size of a five-cent coin, and emits a pungent odour when disturbed.

Brown marmorated stink bugs vary in colour, but generally have mottled brown bodies with white bands on antennae, legs and the sides of their abdomen.

This stink bug feeds on fruiting plants, including ornamentals and vegetables. Its preferred plants include apples, peaches, raspberries, sweet corn, green beans, capsicums and tomatoes.

In August 2018, brown marmorated stink bug was successfully eradicated in NSW following the detection of the pest in western Sydney warehouses in the 2017-18 summer.

Importation rules for cargo arriving from high-risk locations have been strengthened and increased seasonal surveillance from September to April has been in place since the 2017 detection.

Find out more about the brown marmorated stink bug

Minister for Agriculture, Regional and Western NSW, Tara Moriarty said: 

“Look for brown marmorated stink bug in your luggage, including clothes and shoes, around the home and in yards and call the NSW Exotic Plant Pest Hotline, 1800 084 881 if you find any – dead or alive.

“Not only does this stink bug release a disgusting odour, it’s a serious threat to households and horticultural industries as it damages plants, including vegetable and fruit crops and ornamental trees.

“Sheltering in large numbers in buildings and equipment during the winter months, it’s a nuisance pest for businesses and households.

“This exotic pest is not present in Australia and infrequent detections associated with imports and international travel have been managed through diligent surveillance by national and state biosecurity authorities.”

Thousands of families across NSW will benefit from expanded access to early childhood education as the NSW Government unveils the locations for 100 new public preschools.

This is the biggest expansion of public preschools in NSW history.

Co-located at public primary school sites, the new public preschools will be built over the next 3 years in areas of greatest need across NSW.

After more than a decade of decline in education outcomes, the NSW Government will prioritise quality education in the early years, giving every child the best start for success.

The NSW Government is investing a record $769 million to deliver 100 new public preschools by 2027, including delivering preschools at new public primary schools.

This includes in Western Sydney, South West Sydney and North West Sydney, as well as throughout regional NSW, in the South Coast, the Hunter, Illawarra, Mid North Coast, New England, Southern NSW, Northern Rivers, Far West, Riverina, South-West Slopes and Central West regions.

The public preschools will improve access for families across NSW, with sites selected by a NSW Department of Education Panel, overseen by an independent chair and probity advisor, based on rigorous assessment criteria which considered educational need, child development and socioeconomic data, preschool demand, infrastructure feasibility and insights gained through consultation.

Co-locating public preschools with existing schools will ensure children are ready for kindergarten and will assist busy working families with cost-of-living pressures, help avoid the double drop off, and make the transition to school as seamless as possible.

The NSW Government’s election commitment to deliver 100 public preschools is in sharp contrast to the Liberals and Nationals’ unrealistic claim it would build 500 preschools– a last minute announcement made on the eve of an election, with zero consultation and no proper planning.

The announcement of the complete list of preschool locations comes after the locations of the 49 regional public preschools were announced on Saturday. Late last year, the NSW Government announced the initial 10 public preschool sites.

This is part of the NSW Government’s historic investment in early childhood education, which includes a $60 million commitment to build and upgrade 50 preschools on non-government school sites in areas of greatest educational need. The NSW Government has also committed up to $29.4 million to expand the number of early childhood workers in NSW through a scholarship program, which has seen a record number of applications. The NSW Government has also provided $17 million to support capital works for early childhood services in areas of need.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

“Children who receive high quality early childhood education can benefit throughout their life, and it is so important families are able to access good quality services wherever they live.

“This investment is an important step towards delivering expanded preschool access for all families across NSW.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“I am delighted the NSW Labor Government will deliver 100 new public preschools over the next 3 years, a key election commitment made to the people of NSW.

“This investment in public preschools is the largest made by any Government in NSW’s history.

“This significant investment reflects the NSW Labor Government’s commitment to high quality public education, and our belief that access to early childhood education before school should not be defined by your postcode.”

NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said:

“This major step towards delivering 100 public preschools has involved work and consultation with our educators, teachers and local communities.

“We are committed to working hard to deliver high quality education and closing equity gaps, so more families and children in NSW can access early childhood public education.”

Locations for 100 new public preschools

• Albury Thurgoona – new primary school
• Barrack Heights Public School
• Beelbangera Public School
• Berkeley West Public School
• Birrong Public School
• Blackett Public School
• Blacktown North Public School
• Blairmount Public School
• Blaxcell Street Public School
• Bomaderry Public School
• Booragul Public School
• Boorowa Central School
• Bourke Public School
• Bowraville Central School
• Bradbury Public School
• Cabramatta West Public School
• Carramar Public School
• Carter Street Precinct near Sydney Olympic Park – new primary school
• Cartwright Public School
• Cecil Hills Public School
• Cessnock Public School
• Chullora Public School
• Crawford Public School
• Cringila Public School
• Curran Public School
• Deniliquin South Public School
• Edensor Park Public School
• Ellalong Public School
• Emerton Public School
• Eschol Park Public School
• Fairfield West Public School
• Gables in North West Sydney – new primary school
• Gillieston Public School
• Governor Philip King Public School
• Granville East Public School
• Granville South Public School
• Greenway Park Public School
• Greenwell Point Public School
• Guildford Public School
• Guildford West Public School
• Gulyangarri Public School
• Hanwood Public School
• Harcourt Public School
• Hayes Park Public School
• Hebersham Public School
• Heckenberg Public School
• Hillvue Public School
• Jindabyne Public School
• Kearns Public School
• Kearsley Public School
• Kingsgrove Public School
• Kurri Kurri Public School
• Lake Heights Public School
• Lake Illawarra South Public School
• Lansvale East Public School
• Leeton Public School
• Lennox Head Public School
• Leppington Public School
• Leumeah Public School
• Lynwood Park Public School
• Maryland Public School
• Melonba Public School
• Melrose Park Public School
• Menindee Central School
• Miller Public School
• Moorland Public School
• Morgan Street Public School
• Moss Vale Public School
• Mount Pritchard Public School
• Nirimba Fields Public School
• Nowra – new public school
• Nulkaba Public School
• Parkes East Public School
• Parkview Public School
• Prairievale Public School
• Queanbeyan East Public School
• Queanbeyan South Public School
• Robert Townson Public School
• Ruse Public School
• Sackville Street Public School
• Sanctuary Point Public School
• Shalvey Public School
• Sherwood Grange Public School
• Shortland Public School
• Tacking Point Public School
• Taree Public School
• Tenambit Public School
• Teralba Public School
• Thomas Acres Public School
• Toomelah Public School
• Tuggerawong Public School
• Umina Beach Public School
• Villawood North Public School
• Warialda Public School
• Weston Public School
• William Stimson Public School
• Wilton Junction – new primary school
• Wollongbar Public School
• Woodland Road Public School
• Yagoona Public School.

The NSW Government is reminding everyone to ‘Be Bus Aware’ as Bus Safety Week for 2024 kicks off on Monday 19 February.

Focussing on bus safety across the entire road network, this crucial initiative aims to highlight a culture of safety among all road users when walking, riding or driving around, or travelling on buses.

Sadly 41 people have died in crashes involving buses (including mini-buses) in NSW in the 5-year period between 2019 and 2023. This includes the tragic crash in the Hunter Valley last year, where 10 people died and 11 more were seriously injured.

As part of the safety initiative, Transport for NSW will be sharing a series of bus safety videos to different audiences across social media. A series of live radio reads in metropolitan and regional areas of NSW will help reach motorists at the point of behaviour.

The extension to the original Rural and Regional Bus Seatbelt Program, to ensure buses travelling on outer metropolitan roads with higher crash risk ratings are fitted with seatbelts, is almost complete. Seventy-nine out of 82 dedicated school buses have now been fitted with seatbelts in the Hunter. The program is due to be completed in late March 2024.

Road safety stakeholders and partners, including bus operators and schools, will be provided with a communications toolkit to share with their networks and communities to further extend the reach of these important messages.

Buses are large, heavy vehicles and can take a longer time to stop. All road users are reminded to give buses space and to be visible, follow road rules and exercise caution around buses’ blind spots.

Bus Safety Week will run from Monday 19 to Sunday 25 February 2024. For more information, please visit the Be Bus Aware website.

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“Bus drivers have a big job, moving thousands of people across our city and our regions safely every day.

“The road conditions outside their office window change minute by minute, day by day. It’s vital everyone shares the road safely and courteously so our drivers and everyone who’s caught the bus can get home safely.

“Buses are big and don’t stop as quickly as cars, so they’re not worth taking risks around. It’s better to be a little late, and to take your time, than not arrive at your destination at all.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“Bus Safety Week is a chance to reflect and act to save lives and reduce road trauma. Let’s make safety a priority both on and off the bus and ensure that everyone arrives at their destination safely.

“We must all commit to wear a seat belt every time we get on a bus and teach our children to do the same.

“To help keep our most vulnerable road users – our children – safe, the NSW Government is continuing to install seatbelts on dedicated school buses, with a roll out of upgrades to a further 82 buses in the Hunter Valley now almost complete.

“Older passengers or those with mobility issues should always use the handrail and use the front door when getting on or off the bus, as the entry is lower or has ramps and is closer to the kerb. Use the accessible and courtesy seating at the front of the bus.

“Drivers must remember to slow down and be alert for students and families around buses and school zones, particularly on country roads and in our regional communities.

“Give buses more space when driving near them, remembering they take longer to stop than lighter vehicles, and that visibility may not be as clear around the bus.”