Category: NSW News

The community is invited to contribute to the planning and design of 3 new dedicated palliative care units, which will enhance services for people with a life-limiting illness and better support their families and carers.

The NSW Government has committed $93 million to redevelop and refurbish palliative care units throughout the state under the World Class End of Life Care commitment, which includes new and expanded units at Westmead, Nepean, Wyong, Tamworth and Orange hospitals.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said community input into the design process will be crucial in ensuring each of the new units meet the needs of the local community.

“The NSW Government is committed to ensuring people with a life-limiting illness receive the highest quality end-of-life care, to provide peace of mind to patients, families and carers when they need it most,” Mr Park said.

“As well as featuring the latest technology and equipment, the new Palliative Care Units will provide a comfortable and home like setting to deliver the very best clinical care and emotional support.”

The Wyong, Nepean and Westmead Palliative Care Units are scheduled to complete master planning in September and will be shortly followed by Orange and Tamworth, with all 5 sites scheduled to commence construction in 2024.

Minister Park said the new palliative care units will complement the existing palliative and supportive care teams at Westmead, Nepean, and Wyong Hospitals.

“The new units will provide more choices for patients on where they want to receive care and how they want to be cared for, providing a comprehensive range of hospital and in-home services,” Mr Park said.

“It’s important the community is involved in this process to ensure the new units provide the care and support people need as they approach the end of their life.

“That’s why we’re encouraging anyone who is interested to register today.”

Community members who wish to contribute to the design are invited to register interest by completing the relevant form for Wyong, Westmead and Nepean hospitals.

A similar opportunity for the Orange and Tamworth communities will be available in the coming months.

The $93 million allocated for new and redevelopment of palliative care facilities is part of the 2022-2023 budget providing funding over 5 years (2022-2023 to 2026-2027) for NSW Health to deliver end of life and palliative care service enhancements across the state.

Construction of the new palliative care units across all 5 sites will commence following the design and planning process, in consultation with staff, patients and the community.

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos today met coal mining industry representatives as part of consultations on the future beyond the State’s temporary coal cap.

The Government is considering options following the conclusion of the cap, which is set to expire on 1 July 2024, including modernising the coal royalty system to ensure it remains fit for purpose.

Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe also today held a meeting with representatives from coal power station operators.

The consultation process includes inviting industry to provide written submissions by 11 August 2023.

The information from consultations will help inform the Government’s priorities in the second half of the year.

The current system will remain unchanged until the expiration of the coal cap.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer David Mehan participated in today’s discussions.

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“These consultations are critical to ensuring we strike the right balance for the people of New South Wales and key industry stakeholders.

“It is important to meet representatives of the coal mining industry and hear their views on the operation of the coal cap and the future of the sector.”

Minister for Finance and Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said:

“Today’s meeting was productive and together with written submissions will inform the Government’s strategy.”

Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said:

“The coal caps have played an important role assisting households and businesses with electricity costs.  Understanding how the implementation has worked for power stations is important.  I thank them for sharing their views as we contemplate future changes.”

The NSW Government is seeking feedback from the community and stakeholders on nation-leading reforms for regulating alcohol delivery services.

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said everyone with an interest in the issue is invited to comment on the effectiveness of laws that have reduced risks of minors or intoxicated people accessing alcohol through delivery services.

“These changes were an Australian first with fit-for-purpose measures for the range of alcohol delivery models that have emerged – particularly same-day and express services,” Mr Harris said.

“Liquor and Gaming NSW has released a discussion paper for community input and will consider all feedback to determine if any improvements or changes are needed.”

Mr Harris said the online alcohol delivery sector continues to expand and as new technology emerges, it’s vital that key stakeholders and the community are consulted to ensure the regulatory framework remains relevant.

“Alcohol delivery services are a part of the gig economy, so it’s important that the safe and responsible service of alcohol is top of mind for delivery providers in this growing market,” Mr Harris said.

“The review seeks feedback on whether the laws governing alcohol delivery remain appropriate as well as emerging trends and technologies, the use of direct and social media marketing and collection of consumer data.”

The reforms which began in July 2021 covered all alcohol delivery services with a focus on same-day and express delivery with measures including:

• Age verification at the point of sale and on delivery
• Only the named adult can accept a delivery with identity verification required
• No financial penalties for drivers who refuse delivery to intoxicated or unverified customers
• Mandatory Responsible Supply of Alcohol (RSA) training for same-day alcohol delivery drivers
• Online self-exclusion options for customers
• No delivery to public areas where alcohol consumption is banned.

This second stage of the review will complement the first stage which focused on age and identity verifications for alcohol delivery and the RSA course. The discussion paper outlines how stakeholders and the community can provide feedback through an online survey or by providing a written submission.

Find out more about the alcohol delivery reforms consultationlaunch.

Consultation runs until 28 August.

Around 10,000 older patients will have access to more tailored and timely healthcare in the comfort of their own home, to relieve pressure on hospitals and avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency department (ED).

NSW Premier Chris Minns and Minister for Health Ryan Park will today announce the introduction of a new urgent care response team in south west Sydney, and the expansion of existing urgent care response teams in the city’s south east and north.

The 3 urgent care response teams will see patients treated in their own homes or aged care facilities at no cost.

These teams offer specialist and multidisciplinary medical and nursing services, as well as access to a broad range of allied health services including social workers, physiotherapists, pharmacists and dietitians and occupational therapists.

The urgent care response teams are being delivered as part of the NSW Government’s $124 million program to deliver 25 urgent care services over the next 2 years and will see an additional 36 healthcare staff working across the south west, south east and northern Sydney local health districts.

All 3 urgent care response teams will increase their operating hours to 7 days a week; 8am to 10pm for patients in aged care facilities, and 8am to 8pm for patients in the community.

The Minns Labor Government is determined to rebuild our health system after 12 years of neglect.

In May, the Health Minister announced the expansion of the InTouch Urgent Care service, which provides care to residential aged care patients in the Western Sydney LHD.

And in April, the NSW Government expanded a similar service for younger patients, based at the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network VirtualKIDS urgent care service. 

Patients can be referred to the response teams through a variety of channels, including GPs, residential aged care facilities or by phoning Healthdirect on 1800 022 222launch, or by visiting healthdirect.gov.aulaunch

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“We have inherited an overwhelmed health system.

“Nowhere is that clearer than in emergency departments.

“We need to relieve some of that pressure. That is why we are embracing measures like urgent care teams.

“Today’s announcement forms just part of how we are working to rebuild our health system and improve wait times.”

NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“We will treat more patients, deliver more staff and offer more hours through our expansion of these urgent care response teams across Sydney.

“The expansion of these services will make it easier for older people to access high-quality urgent care at the right time, from the comfort of their home environment.

“At the same time, we can alleviate the pressure on our local hospitals by reducing unnecessary presentations to our emergency departments.”

Applications for the 2023 Anzac Memorial Veteran Artist in Residence open today, offering a contemporary veteran or group the opportunity to engage with the Anzac Memorial and the broader community through art.

Minister for Veterans David Harris said it’s only the second time the program had been offered and provides veterans with an opportunity to share their lived experiences through art with the wider community.

“The Anzac Memorial is a physical expression of the spirit and legend of the Anzac. A place for the veteran community to come together and reflect on service and sacrifice, and to share their knowledge and experience with us.

“The Veteran Artist in Residence creates opportunities for experienced emerging contemporary service personnel and veteran artists to engage with the Anzac Memorial, its architecture, history and collection in pursuit of their artistic dreams.”

The program recognises the skills associated with artistic practices such as collaboration, self-discipline, innovation and creative thinking, as well as the positive impact on health and wellbeing and connectivity. It allows a veteran artist, through their chosen medium, to share their experiences and stories with the community, and supports the Memorial’s intent as an active space for veterans and their families. The program won the Innovation and Resilience Award at Museum and Galleries NSW’s IMAGinE Awards 2022.

The inaugural Veteran Artist in Residence, Cory Rinaldi, is an Army veteran of Malaysia, East Timor and Iraq. During his residency, he painted a series of works exploring the Memorial’s architecture and his experience of military service. His residency culminated in an exhibition of 18 paintings.

“The residency at the Memorial enabled me to heal. It gave me purpose again and once more made me feel part of a team since leaving the military,” Mr Rinaldi said.

“It also challenged my artistic parameters and encouraged me to paint outside of my comfort zone. For someone who suffers from PTSD, that’s a big deal.”

A grant of $5000 is attached to the residency to assist a guest veteran artist (or group) to develop their work.

For more information, visit the Anzac Memorial Veteran Artist in Residencelaunch website.

With reports today that the Minns Labor Government are going back to the drawing board on their signature planning policy, Shadow Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Scott Farlow, has called on the Government to get their policies right before announcing them if they are to have any hope of delivering 314,000 homes over the next five years.

“This is another embarrassing policy failure from a Government that is more interested in headlines, one-liners and social media tiles than getting policy right,” Mr Farlow said.

“The Government claimed their policy would accelerate housing delivery, yet the real outcome of their lack of detail has been to slow supply coming to the market as industry sits on their hands waiting for the detail.”

“ Once again it would appear that there has been insufficient engagement with industry and stakeholders, Sydney’s housing issues require more than rushed Media Releases, and the Government needs to engage in good faith if they are to have any chance of delivering 314,000 homes over the next five years.”

“While the Government talks about delivering more homes, we’ve seen Development Applications drop across the board and they have introduced new taxes and costs that are acting as a further barrier to building new homes.”

“When the Government rushed this announcement, the Opposition expressed concerns that they had not engaged with industry, stakeholders or local government and the reality is that by failing to do so their signature policy is now slowing the delivery of new homes.”

“While the Premier has declared that Sydney has to ‘go up’, it is extraordinary that he has exempted the City of Sydney Council, serviced by extensive existing infrastructure, from his policy that would deliver additional height and density.”

“Councils across Sydney are scratching their heads at why the City of Sydney is exempt. The Government need to explain why they’re exempt from this policy and what criteria it was assessed against.”

“If the City of Sydney can be exempt from the Premier’s policy are there other councils that can gain exemption, and if so, what’s the process for them to do it?”

“If the Premier is serious about delivering 314,000 new homes over the next five years, it will take more than rushed media releases and social media tiles,” Mr Farlow said.

The Opposition acknowledges the actions taken by the Premier today in relation to the Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, and Minister for the Hunter. 

The Government has shown a blatant disregard in Parliament to questions regarding a number of perceived conflicts of interest of other Ministers.

Given today’s revelations and referral to the Independent Commission Against Corruption, the Premier must now provide answers to questions asked by the Opposition regarding perceived conflicts of interest and give confidence to the people of NSW that relevant steps have been taken to manage any perceived conflicts of interest.

Regional councils and eligible not-for-profit organisations are encouraged to apply for funding to deliver events and activities for young people during the upcoming Spring school holidays under the Holiday Break program.

Minister for Youth Rose Jackson said applications are now open for the popular program, which has funded everything from science exhibitions and song writing classes to virtual reality tournaments and surfing clinics for young people in the regions.

“That’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the type of opportunities that the Holiday Break program provides to keep young people entertained and engaged during the school holidays,” Ms Jackson said.

“We know how expensive it can be for parents and carers to find things to do during school breaks so it’s important that the events and activities on offer are free to help ease some of that financial pressure for regional families.”

Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty, said young people in regional NSW often face financial and geographical barriers that impact their ability to access recreational and social activities within their local communities.

“The program provides young people across regional NSW with wonderful opportunities to connect, have fun and learn new skills during the school holidays. I am pleased to see the program supporting young people and our vibrant regional communities.”

Funding of up to $8,000 will be available to 93 regional councils and eligible not-for-profit organisations to cover the cost of running youth events from Saturday 23 September to Sunday 8 October 2023.

The funding can be used to support a wide range of activities including youth concerts and music events, dances and discos, sport and recreational activities, and art and theatre workshops.

The NSW Government also has a growing base of program partners including Rugby NSW, KYUP!, Create NSW, One Giant Leap Foundation, and the NSW Office of Sport, who have hosted activities such as self-defence workshops, song writing classes, holiday camps and an aerospace academy.

The NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors is another program partner that provides young people from a refugee background with access to free holiday activities.

Community Services Coordinator Jasmina Bajraktarevic-Hayward said it’s a chance for young people who are often processing traumatic settlement journeys to try new sport and recreational activities, show their creativity and develop friendships.

“The program plays an important role in helping young people from a refugee background get to know their community and environment, make new friends and engage in activities that have profound therapeutic impacts through creation of safety, connections and mastery,” Ms Bajraktarevic-Hayward said.

Funding applications are open now until 5pm Sunday 13 August 2023, or when funds are exhausted.

To find out more and for program guidelines, visit www.nsw.gov.au/holidaybreak.

Following the Matildas’ triumphant win over Canada in their final pool match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, the NSW Government is getting behind the team in the lead up to their round of 16 match on Monday 7 August which will be played in Sydney at Stadium Australia.

Buildings will turn green and gold, and messages of support will be displayed across the transport network, with everyone encouraged to wear green and gold to show their support!

The Matildas have already made history with the biggest ever Australian winning margin in a World Cup match.

It is only fitting that the Sydney Opera House is illuminated next Monday from 6pm.

The Central Station Clock Tower will go gold and the lighting inside the Central Station Concourse will go green and gold in tribute.

A message of support will be amplified across screens on the transport network, in Metro and train stations, buses and bus stops, at light rail platforms and on ferry wharves, as well as across more than 100 Service NSW centres.

The NSW Government will also turn its social channels green and gold for the day.

In addition, everyone is urged to wear green and gold where they can, as we barrack for the women’s team to make the quarter-final round.

Next Monday’s match will also be screened at the FIFA Fan Festival at Tumbalong Park, in Darling Harbour, which is providing a lively and very popular destination for crowds to join in on the FIFA Women’s World Cup atmosphere.

The FIFA Fan Festival site shows every game for free on large screens, along with live performances and street food.

The Matildas qualification for the round of 16 comes with Sydney in the grip of Women’s World Cup fever.

The Sydney Football Stadium (SFS) has hosted 2 sell-out matches in a row while crowds have been growing at live fan sites.

As the mighty Matildas toppled Olympic champions Canada on Monday night in Melbourne, a crowd of 4000 fans watched from the Tumbalong Park live site in Darling Harbour.

A combined total of 80,853 fans attended the epic Colombia versus Germany game along with the England versus Denmark match at the SFS over the weekend – both full crowds.

Upcoming matches are expected to continue breaking World Cup viewing records across the world, with Sydney hosting games in all remaining stages right through to the final at Stadium Australia on Sunday 20 August.

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is firmly on track to be the biggest ever, with 1.65 million tickets across the tournament’s 64 games sold.

At 550,800, Sydney has already sold more tickets than any other host city for the tournament ever.

Outside the stadiums, the atmosphere is building towards the knockout rounds. More than 118,000 people have so far attended the free FIFA Fan Festival site at Darling Harbour.

Live sites are being hosted in many local government areas to ensure fans across NSW get their taste of World Cup fever.

Find out more information about everything taking place at the FIFA Fan Festivallaunch website.

For those unable to visit the FIFA Fan Festival, councils across Sydney and NSW will also be screening FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 games at live siteslaunch.

Fans are encouraged to use public transport to travel to the game and the live site. Visit transportnsw.infolaunch to plan your trip.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:

“We are so proud of the Matildas making the final 16.

“We are celebrating this achievement by turning Sydney green and gold next Monday.

“NSW is proud to be part of this World Cup and we are so proud of what the Matildas have achieved so far.

“Sydney has come alive and we are taking this to the next level.

“Let’s take the Matildas to the next round.”

Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:

“The atmosphere in Sydney is electric and rising by the day. This was a huge weekend in which every seat for both games in Sydney was taken followed by an incredible win by the Matildas in Melbourne which takes them on to the next round.

“This is a defining moment for the rise of women’s sport and we are proud Sydney is the main stage where it will play out, including hosting the Final.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled for the Matildas who will now look ahead to their next game in Sydney.”

NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“The Matildas kicked off their campaign in Sydney in front of a record crowd of 75,000 people, and we can’t wait to see another packed house at Stadium Australia.

“NSW is undoubtedly the sports capital of Australia, and the entire state will be behind the Matildas as they go for glory.

“I encourage everyone to don the green and gold, get to the game or a community fan site, to witness this once in a lifetime opportunity.” 

NSW Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said: 

“The Matildas have made Australia proud and we’re all getting behind the team for their match next Monday.

“It’s truly an exciting time for women’s sport. The Matildas are superb athletes and great role models that women and girls can aspire to.”

Football NSW CEO John Tsatsimas said:

“It’s been fantastic to see so much support for the Matildas from across the NSW community.

“We are incredibly proud of their achievements and of the role our NSW representatives have played in getting the team this far.

“We are excited to see the state turn green and gold on Monday and look forward to the ongoing implementation of the NSW Football Legacy Program to ensure we can cater for the next generation of female football stars.”