Category: NSW News

The NSW Government will invest $2 million to support research into Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in NSW, including in the state’s Riverina.

Premier Chris Minns announced funding for the research has now been approved and said it will go a long way in helping to better understand the incidence of MND across NSW.

“This $2 million investment delivers on our election commitment to fund research on MND in the Riverina,” Mr Minns said.

“It’s estimated that Motor Neurone Disease affects around eight per 100,000 people in Australia, and we know around 90 per cent of cases occur sporadically, without any apparent reason or family link.

“The NSW Government has committed this funding to support people affected by MND and to better understand the causes of the condition.”

“The funding will be allocated using a merit-based assessment and in close consultation with key academic groups.”

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the $2 million commitment arose as a result of community concerns of potential MND clusters in parts of NSW.

“MND is a rare, progressive neurological disorder which causes rapid degeneration of muscle activity and can impair walking, talking, breathing and general functioning,” Mr Park said.

“That’s why this research is so important, so we can better understand the causes and, hopefully, improve treatment and outcomes.”

Minister for Medical Research David Harris said there are many theories about the causes of sporadic cases of MND and there is extensive and ongoing international research in the space.

“With this funding, we will put NSW at the forefront of MND research – working with industry partners to better understand the occurrence of MND,” Mr Harris said.

“NSW Health will liaise with key academic groups and implement a merit-based process to deliver the NSW Government’s commitment to MND research.”

NSW Health monitors the rate and distribution of MND cases through routinely collected hospital admission and mortality data.

Nationals MPs from both Queensland and NSW have joined farmers to call for swifter action and more funding to stop the invasive red fire ant from marching across the border.

New documents detailing the new four year eradication plan, and the revised 2023/24 work plan have revealed delays by Labor Governments are severely hampering the response.

The implications include reduced activity on the ground and the risk of missing the current winter treatment window, as well as delays in engaging personnel, purchasing bait and deploying surveillance measures.

NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders said the setback is extremely concerning after a new outbreak was discovered just 5.5km from the state.

“NSW is at extreme risk of being invaded with the distance now close enough for a single queen red fire ant to fly across the border and start an infestation here,” Mr Saunders said.

“At the July 13 national agricultural ministers meeting, all governments committed to ongoing fire ant eradication but so far only NSW and Queensland have tipped funding into the kitty.

“The NSW Government needs to take this more seriously. It should be calling on Federal Labor to do what’s needed now, instead of waiting until it is too late.”

The failure of the Commonwealth and other states to commit their funding has resulted in a reduced budget of only $84 million for 2023/24, which is $49 million short of the $133 million required for full eradication.

This will lead to a 50% reduction in the proposed treatment area and a huge reduction in targeted surveillance and public communication.

Member for Tweed Geoff Provest said the arrival of the pest would have a catastrophic impact in the Tweed.

“Fire ants kill off native plants and animals and damage ecosystems beyond repair, they sting people, pets and livestock and can result in the closure of parks, playgrounds and beaches,” Mr Provest said.

“Our region benefits from millions of dollars in tourism every year and restricting the use of our backyards and public spaces will put that vital income at risk.

“Border residents frequently travel in and out of NSW and we need to ensure everyone is on the lookout for these highly invasive pests that can be found in hay, potted plants, mulch, soil, sand, turf and on agricultural machinery.”

President of the Tweed Cane Growers Association Robert Hawken said fire ants pose a risk to farmers, crops and machinery.

“Fire ants have no natural predators in Australia, therefore their population is rapidly expanding,” Mr Hawken said.

“Producers of small crops and vegetables need to be concerned that fire ants can eat through seeds, tunnel through the roots and stems of crops and damage irrigation systems and machinery.

“NSW needs to do a much better job than their Queensland counterparts in controlling the spread of this very invasive and dangerous pest.”

The Opposition welcomes the passage of the Anti-Discrimination Amendment (Religious Vilification) Bill 2023 through the NSW Parliament, making it against the law to incite hatred towards, serious contempt for or severe ridicule of someone based on their religious beliefs, affiliation or engagement in religious activities.

Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said the Coalition supported the Bill as a natural next step of the work done by the previous government to support and protect the state’s religious and multicultural communities.

“From fighting for religious freedom to banning nazi symbols, and passing legislation to protect against public threats of or incitement to violence, we have been steadfast in our commitment to making NSW safer and more welcoming for people regardless of their religious affiliation or cultural background,” Mr Speakman said.

“It is a foundational principle of the Liberal Party that people’s freedom to worship and come together in celebration of their unique cultures is worth defending. We will tirelessly continue to stand up for communities across NSW and their needs.

“NSW has been the beneficiary of a strong multicultural and multifaith community, and the Opposition supported the legislation to ensure that our communities can continue with the cultural and religious activities without fear of vilification.”

Shadow Attorney General Alister Henskens said people’s freedom to believe or not believe in a religion is a fundamental human right.

“The right to faith is protected in the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and is a well-respected right in many other areas of discourse,” said Mr Henskens.

“People should not be vilified because of their beliefs or their connections with faiths or religious organisations.”

Shadow Multiculturalism Minister Mark Coure said he had been an advocate for addressing a gap that religious stakeholders had been raising, extending vilification protections in the Anti-Discrimination Act to include religion and providing an important protection for people of faith.

“This approach allows our community to continue to express and challenge views in a peaceful and productive way, with one of the exemptions being good faith discussion and debate” Mr Coure said.

“This is something that has cemented NSW as the multicultural success story it is today, ensuring that people can carry on their own religious practices and expression. NSW has embraced migrants since the earliest days of settlement and we continue to welcome new communities, setting an example to the rest of the world as a peaceful and harmonious multicultural society.”

The NSW Nationals is encouraging people to have their say on the planning and design of the State’s three new Palliative Care Units, that were announced under the former Coalition Government.

Shadow Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the Liberals and Nationals committed $93m to the project as part of a $743m package that was unveiled in June last year.

“The Labor Government is up to its old tricks, trying to take credit for an incredibly important project that we developed to ensure people have access to the greatest possible comfort when they are at the end of their life,” Mrs Taylor said.

“On top of the expansion at Wyong, Nepean and Westmead and the brand new facilities at Orange and Tamworth, our package also made way for an extra 600 medical staff and improved access to pain management services.

“As a former palliative care nurse, I know how significant this upgrade is and that is why I am encouraging the community to come forward to have input in the planning process.

“But it was the Liberals and Nationals that did the ground work to provide better palliative care in all parts of the State, and the fact that Labor is trying to convince people that this initiative is their own is disgraceful.”

The $743 million was allocated by the Liberals and Nationals in the 2022- 23 budget to provide funding over five years to:

· Redevelop and refurbish NSW palliative care facilities.

· Employ an extra 600 nurses, allied health professionals, doctors, and support staff.

· Boost hospital capacity and implement best-practice models for supportive and       palliative care.

· Improve access to pain management services for patients with life-limiting illness, to help patients and their family and carers.

· Improve services for people with late stage chronic and degenerative conditions, and cancer.

· Further strengthen outpatient and community health services.

· Support consumer choice and excellence in end-of-life and palliative care.

· Strengthen virtual care, transport and equipment programs.

· Improve partnership with non-Government organisations, primary care and aged care services.

The NSW Government is urging households to use, store and dispose of batteries safely to combat the surge in house, garbage truck and waste facility fires.

The government is raising awareness of how to prevent these potentially deadly fires and save lives.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority will roll out social media content that warns of the risks of batteries and advises consumers how to properly dispose of old, unused or dead batteries.

A letter will be sent to Councils, seeking their support to encourage residents to never discard dead batteries in household waste or recycling bins.

Fire and Rescue NSW data shows there has been an almost 20 per cent increase in battery-related fire or explosion incidents, when comparing the first half of this year to the first half of last year.

In the first six months of 2023 there were 114 lithium battery related fires, with key items of concern being power packs and chargers, micro-mobility devices like e-bikes and e-scooters and portable power banks.

Local councils and waste contractors have seen a significant rise in the number of truck and rubbish fires caused by batteries, which if damaged can explode and spark fires which are difficult to put out.

Batteries which are thrown into rubbish bins instead of being disposed of safely also contribute to an increase in recyclable materials winding up in landfill.

There are several recycling options available to consumers. Batteries can be taken to a Community Recycling Centrelaunch or dropped off at a dedicated recycling point available at many large retailers like Coles, Woolworths, Bunnings and Officeworks.

Products with batteries embedded in them, like mobile phones, laptops and power tools should be disposed of at an e-waste recycling facility or e-waste drop-off event.

Find out more about battery and charging safetylaunch.

Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“Batteries power so much of our lives, but the sight of flames erupting from a garbage truck is a reminder they can be very dangerous. The community needs to understand that bins are not the place for batteries.

“The good news is we can recycle 95 per cent of batteries. But at the moment, only 10 per cent are being recycled.

“It’s time to take charge of battery waste. Households need to give them a new life by taking them to your closest collection site or using your council’s e-waste services. It’s better for the environment and also much safer.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“We are seeing an emerging issue with the rise in the number of lithium battery fires in NSW. We would encourage people to be careful in how they use them in the home.

“The batteries are starting to feature more prominently in fire statistics, with lithium power packs and charger fires an increasing concern for fire crews.

“These fires are difficult to extinguish and can cause significant damage to a home. We would encourage homeowners to take care when charging devices, follow charging instructions and dispose of used battery products safely.

“If you are unsure about using batteries, our firefighters are part of the local community and I encourage you to ask their advice.”

FRNSW Acting Deputy Commissioner – Field Operations, Trent Curtin said:

“Firefighters are responding to an average of more than three battery fires a week from in-home charging issues or incorrect disposal.

“As we bring more batteries into our homes, it is important that we dispose of them correctly once they’ve reached the end of their life.”

Background on case study, Sutherland Shire Council:

Sutherland Shire Council serves a community of more than 218,000 people, collecting approximately 87,000 red lid bins and 43,500 yellow lid bins from residents each week.

Council has experienced a growing number of fires and near miss incidents in recent years due to household batteries sparking and sometimes exploding in its waste trucks.

Since 2020, Council has had seven major incidents where trucks have caught fire because of batteries being thrown in bins.

Council has dedicated battery collection points at several locations across the LGA, including at the Council Customer Service Centre and libraries in Cronulla, Caringbah, Miranda, Menai and Engadine.

Recent lithium battery fire events:

A battery from a mobile data terminal caused a small fire in a ward at Campbelltown hospital on 31 July. Staff were treated for smoke inhalation and the ward was cleared of patients.  Hazmat crews assisted local firefighters to declare the ward safe.

A working smoke alarm saved three men from an e-bike fire in their Guildford home on 27 July. The bike’s lithium battery pack caught fire in a bedroom as one of the residents slept. The flames spread to the bed and clothing. He escaped the property with his brother and father as fire crews arrived and extinguished the blaze and rid the home of toxic smoke.

A man jumped from a window to escape a blaze, thought to have been started by an e-scooter on 24 July. He was asleep in his Merewether home when the fire broke out in his loungeroom. A neighbour heard the smoke alarm and woke the resident. The home was damaged.

On 21 July, a fire believed to have been sparked by an electric scooter damaged a unit at Wentworthville, in Sydney’s west. Three people inside the unit managed to escape before the flames took hold. One was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for smoke inhalation and taken to hospital. It’s believed the scooter, powered by a lithium battery, was left charging inside the unit overnight and may have ignited.

A resident of Merewether in Newcastle accidentally punctured an old mobile phone battery at his home on 11 July. It began spewing out gas and a pungent odour. He followed FRNSW advice to remove the battery from his home as firefighters rushed to his house. But he decided to seek alternative advice over the internet and immersed the battery in salt-water. This was the wrong thing to do as salt-water conducts electricity. The fire crew arrived and immersed the battery in fresh water. It continued to produce gas in the water but did not explode, averting a potential disaster.

NSW’s world-first land-use technology platform, Land iQ, has secured more than $11 million in State and Commonwealth funding to back in its current work to identify surplus and underutilised public land for housing and to also help extend it for use in other sectors.

The platform, which won the Australian Property Institute Innovation in Property Award on 27 July, brings more than 40 land use data types together, making it easy to search more than 8 million lots and properties and quickly test different scenarios for land use.

Land iQ is currently being used by NSW government departments and nine local councils, helping to reduce time, cost and duplication.

It played a key role in work to support flood response planning in northern NSW last year and is now focused on supporting the State Government’s audit of publicly owned land for housing.

Land iQ makes it easier to identify and assess land for housing and related uses by putting vast amounts of data and analysis into the hands of land and property managers.

It means the work and time required by government and the private sector to assess land size, location and zoning constraints can be cut from weeks or months to days or less, delivering outcomes faster for the benefit of local communities.

The two-year funding, including $7.5 million from the NSW Government and $3.6 million in joint funding from the Commonwealth and the State as part of the Disaster Ready Fund, will allow Land iQ to be upgraded from a pilot to a more mature tool that can be licensed for use by other sectors that deal in land.

This could include private industry, local councils, universities and other researchers, or organisations like Local Aboriginal Land Councils.

Land iQ was recommended by the independent 2022 NSW Flood Inquiry as a key tool to consolidate land use risk data to support strategic planning.

The Commonwealth funding lines up with this recommendation and will allow for natural disaster risk and resilience analysis to be built into Land iQ so it can consider a site’s vulnerability to hazards including bushfires, droughts and floods.

The Commonwealth funding will also enable the opportunity for Land iQ’s capabilities to be used by other jurisdictions across Australia once the tool has fully matured.

The platform was built by WSP Australia and NSW start-up Giraffe, with high-resolution maps provided by Aerometrex.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said:

“Through the Albanese Government’s Disaster Ready Fund, we are taking serious action to support initiatives that improve community resilience and reduce the risk of natural disasters right across the nation.

“Initiatives like Land iQ will enable the NSW Government to make faster, smarter land use decisions to support emergency response, recovery and long-term resilience.

“We’re proud to back this, and another 18 projects worth more than $70 million in NSW alone.”

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“This is smarter planning, plain and simple, and we’re deploying the technology to support one of the Government’s top priorities – more housing for the people of NSW.”

“We are using every lever at our disposal to speed up the planning process and get more people in NSW into homes sooner.”

“Agencies can bring together more than 200 data sources to find sites that meet development requirements, then virtually test different planning scenarios in specific locations.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“We’ve wasted no time to focus on ways to modernise the planning and approvals system, remove the chaos, confusion and delay to help address the housing crisis.

“We’re backing in this vital platform with more funding to support our ongoing work to improve assessment times, help improve assessment quality and support the audit surplus public land that could be rezoned for housing.”

Minister for Housing Rose Jackson said:

“We need more housing as quickly as possible, this platform speeds up the time to get to a formal proposal or development application.”

“All government agencies and councils using a shared platform with shared data means time and money that would otherwise be wasted will be going towards fixing the housing crisis.”

“We are rebuilding our housing system after over a decade of neglect. This will help streamline planning to ensure our focus is on fast tracking the delivery of more homes, and not on bureaucratic barriers.”

WSP Australia Acting Director Digital Damien Cutcliffe said:

“We’re delighted to be working with the Government and our partners in helping fast-track planning and housing solutions.

“It’s exciting to be playing a role in getting people into homes quicker.”

NSW Seniors Card and Senior Savers Card members across the state can now save 4 cents per litre on every fuel purchase at participating United service stations, using a digital or physical fuel discount card.

Minister for Seniors Jodie Harrison said cost of living can be a challenge for older people and every dollar counts.

“This brand new discount has been added to the wealth of Seniors Card savings to help keep more money in seniors’ pockets and ease price pressure at the pump,” Minister Harrison said.

“We want our Seniors Card and Senior Savers Card holders to get the best possible benefits, discounts, and special offers, and we’re excited to launch the program’s first fuel discount with United Petroleum, an Australian-owned business offering discounts to members at the bowser.”

Head of Loyalty at United Petroleum Judith Russell said Seniors Card and Senior Savers Card members simply need to sign up for a United digital or plastic fuel discount card online to save 4 cents per litre.

“Members then need to show and scan this United fuel discount card at the time of purchase at participating United service stations to save the 4 cents per litre,” Ms Russell said.

“The discount can be used once a day for a purchase to a maximum of 150L in a single transaction.”

If seniors choose a digital card, this can be used straight away, while the plastic card will be delivered within 5 to 15 business days.

The NSW Seniors Card and Senior Savers Card are the largest programs of its kind in Australia and have been running for 31 years. Current discounts available on both cards include several to ease the cost of living:

• Woolworths: 5% off WISH e-gift cards
• IGA: 5% off gift cards
• AGL: up to $200 in sign up credits when switching to the AGL Seniors Saver plan. That’s $100 for electricity and $100 for gas. Offer available to new and moving customers only
• Energy Australia: exclusive guaranteed 12% off electricity and 10% off gas rates
• Insure and Go: 15% off Insure and Go travel insurance policies
• Norton: 56% off Norton 360 Deluxe (first year subscription)
• RSPCA: 50% senior pet adoption + 10% off RSPCA veterinary services

Apply for a NSW Seniors Card or Senior Savers Cardlaunch

The fuel discount is available now and Senior Card or Senior Savers Card holders can apply.

Landmark legislation to prohibit religious vilification passed NSW Parliament today.

The amendment to the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 makes it unlawful to, “by a public act, incite hatred towards, serious contempt for, or severe ridicule of, a person or group of persons, because of their religious belief, affiliation or activity”.

A “public act” includes any form of communication to the public, verbal and non-verbal.

The legislation mirrors existing provisions in the Anti-Discrimination Act that make vilification unlawful on the grounds of race, homosexuality, transgender status and HIV/AIDS status.

People who do not have a religious belief or affiliation or do not engage in religious activity are also protected under the new law, which recognises that these are also positions in relation to religion which should be respected.

A wide range of stakeholders were consulted on the amendment, including faith-based organisations, community groups, multicultural associations, legal advocates and NSW Government agencies.

The new law comes into effect three months after the date of assent to the Act.

NSW Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“We are lucky to live in a harmonious society that values respect, tolerance and inclusivity.

“Vilification on the grounds of a person’s religion (or no belief) is completely unacceptable in our community. Now we have a clear law to protect people from public actions that incite hatred or serious contempt or severe ridicule of them on the basis of their religious belief or lack of belief.”

NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:

“NSW is one of the most successful multicultural states in the world. Our vibrant multicultural and multi-faith communities enrich our society.

“It is regrettable to see any expression of vilification towards certain groups based on their beliefs.

“This legislation sends a strong message to those people who seek to stir hatred and division in our community. It won’t be tolerated.”

Changes that aim to create a better governance structure at the state’s worker’s compensation provider have passed both houses of parliament and will now become law.

Minister for Industrial Relations and Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis will appoint employer and employee body representatives to the icare Board in the first step in the reform of icare’s governance.

Two suitably qualified employer and employee directors will be nominated by employer and employee representatives and will replace two non-executive directors, leaving the size of the icare Board unchanged with nine directors.

The two new directors will provide fresh perspectives, helping to better represent the employers who pay workers’ compensation premiums and the injured workers who need to access the scheme.

Legislation to amend the State Insurance and Care Governance Act 2015 for the Board changes passed both houses of Parliament on Thursday evening.

icare provides worker’s compensation for about 330,000 business and 3.4 million workers in New South Wales, managing about 60,000 new claims each year.

Minister for Industrial Relations and Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:

“Appointing representatives of employer and union bodies to the icare Board will ensure these important perspectives are heard in the icare boardroom.”

“This will legally ensure perspectives on premium affordability, timely and accurate payment of wage entitlements, timely access to medical diagnosis and treatment to support recovery and returning to work.”

“Adding employer and employee representatives to the Board is the first step to bring a critical lens upon management to improve performance and accountability to ensure better outcomes for the 330,000 businesses and 3.2 million workers covered by icare.”

The Minns Labor Government has received the first of five new purpose-built incident response vessels for NSW Maritime.

These vessels have the capabilities to support first responders during an emergency while delivering a significant boost to the current fleet. They are extremely durable and fitted with the latest state-of-the-art technology.

Each vessel is 5.3m long and fitted with a stabilised camera that can be viewed locally or streamed and controlled from the State Marine Incident Coordination Centre.

The vessels will enter service over the next 12 months and will be strategically stationed at key maritime bases in Northern New South Wales, the South Coast and the high-tech headquarters in Rozelle, to respond to any unfolding marine situation.

Each vessel will have capacity for 2 crew members and 6 passengers, will have a 2.9m tender for even greater access and a purpose-built trailer for on-land transportation.

These marine-grade, aluminium incident response vessels have been designed and manufactured in Australia for Australian conditions.

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“These boats have the grunt to provide maritime crews with a capability uplift to operate across different environments such as aquatic events, natural disasters and marine pollution incidents.

“Using their cameras, these boats are equipped to provide real time intelligence directly from the field. They will be able to assist in emergency operations such as flooding or bushfires, reach residents in remote communities, help with major aquatic events and improve wharf and bridge inspections.”