Category: NSW News

Disaster assistance is now available in several parts of NSW to help communities recovering from severe bushfires.

Jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), the assistance has been activated for the Inverell, Kyogle, and Tenterfield local government areas (LGAs) (for bushfires on 13 October 2023 onwards) and Mid-Western LGA (for bushfires on 17 October onwards).

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Senator the Hon Murray Watt said the bushfires caused significant damage.

“The Australian Government is supporting impacted communities with this early assistance, so recovery can begin as soon as possible for those directly affected,” Minister Watt said.

“While we move quickly to activate this early assistance, we also continue to work alongside the NSW Government to collect information and fully understand the impact of these fires.”

NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said bushfire-impacted communities, landowners, farmers, and primary producers will be supported in their clean-up and recovery.

“The NSW Government is committed to seeing communities get back on their feet as quickly as possible, which is why we’ve worked swiftly to make sure directly impacted people can access this funding and start their recovery,” Minister Dib said.

“We remain dedicated to NSW communities in the face of hazards and will be there long before a disaster strikes and long after the disaster has passed.”

Assistance available under the DRFA may include:

• help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged (eligibility criteria apply)
• support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets
• concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations
• freight subsidies for primary producers.

For information relating to financial assistance, replacing lost documents, location of your nearest recovery centre and more, please contact Service NSW on 137 788launch or visit nsw.gov.au.

To apply for a concessional loan or primary producer grant, visit the NSW Rural Assistance Authoritylaunch website or call 1800 678 593launch.

Further information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assistlaunch website.

Global ratings agency Moody’s has affirmed NSW’s triple-A credit rating with a stable outlook, following the Minns Government’s 2023-24 plan to stabilise the State’s finances.

The State’s fiscal position had weakened in recent years but the Government’s Comprehensive Expenditure Review identified $13 billion in budget improvements, revenue and reprioritisation measures to help stabilise the fiscal position.

These funds will be reinvested into essential services to help keep the State’s overall expenses at a manageable level. As a result, the 2023-24 NSW Budget projects an improved surplus of $844 million in 2024-25.

The Government has also taken steps to reduce the impact of the NSW Generations Fund and Transport Asset Holding Entity on the State’s balance sheet, with gross debt projected to be $173.4 billion by June 2026, which is $14.8 billion below the 2023 Pre-election Budget Update.

Net debt is now projected to peak at 12.6 per cent of GSP by June 2027, around 1.4 percentage points lower than at the 2023 Pre-election Budget Update.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“The Minns Government has begun the task of repairing the budget, reducing debt and rebuilding our essential services, as well as supporting families and providing targeted cost-of-living relief.

“We are still in the early stages of setting NSW’s finances on a sustainable footing. We look forward to continuing this work in the next budget.”

Students in almost 10,000 lessons every day are being left without adequate instruction in disruptive class arrangements, due to a 42% shortfall in the number of casual teachers available to teach classes, a new survey by the NSW Department of Education has found.

Public schools across NSW have been left short on average 3000 casual teachers every day – nearly half of what is required to meet the state’s educational demand – after 12 years under the former Liberal National government, which denied there was a problem and refused to collect data on it.

In the state’s primary schools, 40% of the lessons unable to be covered by a casual teacher resulted in merged or collapsed classes. In high schools, students in nearly 30% of uncovered classes were left to their own devices with minimal supervision.

The numbers were significantly worse in parts of Sydney’s west and south-west, rural and remote areas and at schools for specific purposes – but the issue was widespread with almost 90% of schools across the state reporting a shortfall in casual teachers on a given day.

The survey is the first of its kind to gather data on the true extent and impact of the teacher shortage faced by NSW public schools. It provides damning evidence of the gravity of the issue inherited by the Minns Labor government.

On average, NSW’s casual teacher shortage looks like:

• A daily shortfall of more than 3000 teachers, or 42% of what is required to fill classes.
• More than 9800 lessons without a teacher across the state every day.
• 87% of NSW public schools impacted by a shortage of casual teachers each day.
• Worse at schools in the metropolitan south and west (47%), rural north (47%), rural south and west (59%), Connected Communities (72%) and at schools for specific purposes (68%).
• 40% of primary school lessons requiring alternative supervision arrangements covered by merging/collapsing classes.
• 28% of high school lessons without a teacher covered by minimal supervision.

The survey also reveals how the severe shortfall in casual teachers results in a domino effect – including cancellation of library lessons, programs providing additional support to those most in need and time set aside for professional development.  

The Minns Labor government is delivering on its promise to listen to teachers and parents and take action to turn around the teacher shortage crisis that has been failing NSW public school students for years. 

Since being elected in March, the Minns Labor government has taken steps to reduce teacher workload, delivering teachers their largest pay rise in a generation, and making more than 16,000 teachers and support staff on temporary engagements permanent.

A number of other programs and recruitment initiatives are in place or under development to attract more teachers to areas where they are particularly in demand.

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

“We already knew from listening to teachers and parents that NSW has been facing a teacher shortage crisis leaving huge numbers of students without quality teaching every single day – but the former government told teachers it was a ‘lie’ they had made up.

“This survey lays bare the extent of the crisis that the former Liberal National government denied and ignored while they claimed teachers weren’t working hard enough to get a pay rise.

“Even to this day the former government is in denial about their legacy. The Minns Labor government was elected on a mandate to fix this mess and we are addressing it head on.

“It is vital for a child’s education that they have a qualified teacher in front of them for every lesson, and that is what we’re working towards.”

NSW communities are being encouraged to wear orange on Sunday 22 October 2023 and register to become an organ and tissue donor.

22 October is Saffron Day, a day to honour the life of Western Sydney boy Deyaan Udani who became an organ donor in 2016 at age 7.

When Deyan tragically passed away on a family holiday to India, his parents Rupesh and Mili made the decision to donate his organs, making him the youngest organ donor in India.

Shortly before the holiday, Deyaan and his older sister, Naisha, had learned about organ and tissue donation at school, and had informed their parents that they wanted to be organ donors to help others.

Deyaan’s parents’ decision to donate his organs meant four lives were saved. Rupesh Udani, Deyaans father, said Saffron Day was a fitting way to remember his brave son.

“Deyaan was a lively, fun-loving boy who always wanted to help others,” Mr Udani said.

In order to honour Deyaan’s life, and to encourage others to register their intent to be a donor, we came up with the idea of Saffron Day.

“Saffron has a lot of significance for us. Orange was not only Deyaan’s favourite colour, but orange also represents sacrifice, courage and strength.”

Health Minister Ryan Park said Saffron Day is the perfect time to consider becoming an organ and tissue donor.

“Organ donation saves lives and increasing awareness and consent is critical to lifting our donation rate,” Mr Park said.

“We encourage NSW residents to jump online and pledge to give the gift of life to those in need. 

“You can make a real difference to the many Australians waiting for transplants by registering to become an organ and tissue donor, and importantly, telling your family of your decision.

“Only about two per cent of people who die in hospital will be eligible to donate their organs. However, many more people have the potential to become tissue donors.”

Organ and tissue donation saves and transforms lives. One organ donor can save the lives of as many as seven people and many more can be helped through tissue and eye donation.

A total of 54,769 NSW residents registered as organ and tissue donors in 2022, bringing the total number registered to 2,670,875 – about 42 per cent of the NSW population, above the national average of 36 per cent.

319 NSW residents received an organ transplant last year, and 122 NSW residents became organ donors.

With around 1,800 people on Australian transplant waiting lists at any one time, and a further 14,000 people on dialysis who may need a kidney transplant, you can make a real difference in the lives of others by registering as a donor on the Australian Organ Donor Register and then telling your family.

It doesn’t matter your medical history, your lifestyle or how old you are – you can still register as an organ and tissue donor.

You can register to be a donor through the Donatelife websitelaunch or through myGOV or the Express Plus Medicare app.

If you are already registered, talk to your friends and family. Tell them you want to be a donor. Encourage them to register too.

Led by founder and rugby league legend Greg Inglis, the Goanna Academy and Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) will shine a spotlight on mental health at a free community workshop in Bathurst, to help people connect with local support services.

People across Bathurst are encouraged to attend the mental health workshop, which is being hosted by the District’s local Community Mental Health Team at 11am at the Kelso Community Hub on Tuesday, 24 October.

The workshop builds on the weekly Mawang Yarning Circle held at the Kelso Community Hub in recent months.

The Goanna Academy, aims to improve mental health outcomes across Australia and particularly in regional men, youth and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and founder Greg Inglis will share his personal journey and battles with mental illness to inspire others to seek help.

The Goanna Academy workshop is free and does not require registration. A barbecue lunch will be provided, followed by rugby league-based activities at 1pm and a meet and greet at 2pm.

For mental health advice or to be connected to specialist mental health services, call the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) or go to your nearest Emergency Department.

Minister for Mental Health, Rose Jackson said:

“This event is a great opportunity for the community to connect, particularly during Mental Health Month. Not just to connect with a Rugby League and mental health champion like Greg Inglis, but also with one another and health professionals.

“Hearing from others with lived experience can be extremely reassuring for people who are considering reaching out for mental health support, but it’s also incredibly important they know where they can receive that support in their local community.

“I’m thrilled this event will bring together the community and mental health services and I hope the Goanna Academy’s visit will help more people feel comfortable enough to connect with our local teams on the ground.”

Founder of the Goanna Academy Greg Inglis said:

“I hope my story can help people in the community feel more confident and comfortable reaching out for support, particularly people in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

“We’ve all been through some pretty tough times recently and looking after our mental health is more important than ever. I say from experience suffering in silence won’t help.

“Support is always there and hopefully people might be able to take something from what I’ve learned over the years to help them take that next step and get themselves some help.

“Being able to get back out to Bathurst during Mental Health Month will be pretty special, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

WNSWLHD Mental Health’s Drug and Alcohol Bathurst and Region Hub Manager Josh Spicer said:

“We’re excited for Greg and the Goanna Academy’s visit and we’re very grateful to the Orange Aboriginal Medical Service and the Wambuul Life Connection Network, who have supported the workshop from the start.

“The workshop will be a safe space where people can also share their stories if they are comfortable doing so, but I would encourage anyone who might like to just listen to come along too, we’d love to connect with as many people as possible.

“I’m sure many people in Bathurst already feel a connection through rugby league, but physical activity is also a huge benefit to people’s mental health.”

The NSW Government is rounding out National Water Week by beginning investigations to double the capacity of Sydney’s Desalination plant, to bolster future drought resilience and ensure we have the infrastructure to support housing and population growth.

Currently 85% of Sydney’s water supply is dependent on rainfall so this project is a crucial step towards diversifying the city’s water sources to make we’re better placed to weather future droughts.

The investigations will determine if expanding the desalination plant at Kurnell to add another 90 billion litres a year to the network is the best and most cost-effective option.

Currently, the plant produces up to 15% of the city’s water, delivering up to 250ML a day, but upgrading the infrastructure would enable 30%, pumping out 500ML a day.

Expanding the desalination plant is a key initiative of the Greater Sydney Water Strategy which identified the need to invest in non-rain dependent alternatives.

Work on the first stage of planning will get underway shortly and be finalised in 2024.

Minister for Water Rose Jackson said:

“This is about safeguarding Sydney’s water future so it can continue to meet demands in a changing climate.

“We’re kicking housing expansion in Greater Sydney into high gear and to ensure this growth is sustainable we must also expand vital water infrastructure.

“In a drought, Warragamba Dam can go from full to empty in five years, so it is crucial that we actively explore options to expand our water sources which will take pressure off Sydney’s dams.

“Melbourne and Adelaide have already turned to desalination plants for nearly half their water use so it is high time we joined their ranks and move forward with boosting our supply options so we’re better placed for future dry periods.

“As part of our commitment to a greener future, any upgrade to the plant will be 100 per cent powered by renewable energy, providing a sustainable and secure solution.”

Sydney Water Managing Director, Roch Cheroux said:

“Sydney Water is preparing for the future by exploring all options as part of the Greater Sydney Water Strategy, including increased production of water supplied by the desalination plant.

“We can no longer rely on rainfall alone, so this investment allows us greater flexibility to diversify our water sources to meet Greater Sydney’s future demands.

“We have also released our first ever long-term investment plan which addresses the challenges facing Greater Sydney such as significant population growth, climate change and our own ageing infrastructure.”

NSW Fair Trading, alongside Australian Border Force (ABF), has completed a highly coordinated and unannounced one-day operation targeting illegal practices on residential building projects.

Several groups, made up of officers from both agencies, visited 26 North-West Sydney construction sites as part of ‘Operation Hammer’. The locations were covertly scouted ahead of time in Schofields, Box Hill, Grantham Farm and Kellyville Ridge.

Fair Trading’s Proactive Investigations Team checked contractors were licenced and supervising workers correctly. It is unlawful to contract to do residential building work without being appropriately licensed and proper supervision provided.

ABF officers collaborated with Fair Trading as part of its ongoing investigation of unlawful non-citizens working in the NSW home building industry.

Fair Trading spoke to 48 people and identified nine unlicensed contractors, issuing each an on-the-spot fine of $2,200 per infringement.

Further investigations will now begin into the building companies these unlicensed contractors were working with to determine if these companies are fit to be licensed.

The crackdown is in response to industry stakeholders who have raised concerns about an increase in unskilled workers in the NSW home building industry who are not licensed to contract work or are not supervised by accredited contractors.

Using unlicensed and unsupervised contractors is likely to lead to onsite safety concerns, poor build quality and defective buildings.

Fair Trading is proactively working to restore public confidence in the NSW building industry beginning with early intervention in the construction stage, identifying risks and defects to be fixed long before residents move in.

A tradesperson must be licensed to contract to do residential building work valued at more than $5,000, including the cost of labour and material, and to do all specialist work, regardless of cost, including plumbing, electrical wiring, and air conditioning work.

Fair Trading offers a free online tool to check the licence of an individual or companylaunch

Minister for Building Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“Operation Hammer is a warning to companies to stop employing unskilled and unlicensed contractors.

“We know there’s a strong correlation between builders breaking immigration law and those who don’t deliver quality to their customers.

“Tolerance for poor quality buildings and cutting corners for residents has worn out in NSW.

“This action is tough but necessary to stop unlawful practices impacting the NSW building industry.

“This operation helps protect NSW residents from moving into poor quality and potentially defective homes.”

Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann said:

“Our officers, with the support of Border Force, executed this operation efficiently and professionally.

“The nine unlicensed workers are now off NSW building sites and the companies employing them will be investigated.

“Fair Trading is raising expectations about building quality. It is time the industry caught up.”

NSW Health, through the Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC), is establishing a new digital Life Saving Drugs Register tracking vital stock.

The new, digital register will update daily and pinpoint the exact location of these life-saving drugs to specific NSW public hospital departments.

The medicines on the Life Saving Drugs Register include those used to treat paracetamol overdose, snake and spider bites and poisoning from heavy metals, including 31 antidotes and 10 antivenoms.

The newly upgraded register will streamline the process for locating these medicines in time-critical emergencies.

The register replaces a web-based Excel spreadsheet updated every six months.

After confirming the location of the medicines, the digital register can connect to online maps showing the quickest route from the patient’s location to the medicine.

The new digital register is also accessible from mobile devices to support frontline workers caring for NSW patients in diverse and challenging environments.

The register links to evidence-based guidelines to give health workers direction on the most appropriate use of these vital medications.

People suspecting an overdose, poisoning, snake or spider bite are urged to call healthdirect 1800 022 222, NSW Poisons Information Centre 131126 or 000 if there are serious safety concerns.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said: 

“We are announcing today, the creation of a one-stop-shop for life saving drugs.

“Through this initiative, frontline emergency workers will be able to rapidly access critical lifesaving medicines for patients.

“This register will inform frontline workers of the nearest location of the medicines their patients need – saving time and saving lives.

“We are modernising our health system, finding efficiencies with new and innovative initiatives – I’ve always said, where we can do things better, we will.”

CEC Chief Executive Prof Michael Nicholl said:

“The new register will help ensure NSW patients are better able to access life-saving drugs, either by having medications urgently transferred or patients transported to the most appropriate hospital.

“The register has moved from a web-based Excel spreadsheet updated every six months, to a dynamic webpage with daily stock updates from each hospital’s pharmacy dispensing software.”

St George Hospital Emergency Specialist Dr Trevor Chan said:

“These highly specialised medications are designed for very unwell patients and need to be used quickly.

“The register supports health workers to find stock and ensure it is used with appropriate clinical guidance.”

Fresh surveys reveal the known population of one of Australia’s rarest birds has expanded to new areas, offering fresh hope for its survival.

The Mukarrthippi Grasswren is the Australian bird most likely to go extinct, with a significant 60 per cent risk by 2041. The Critically Endangered bird was previously spotted at two locations in and near Yathong Nature Reserve in central-west NSW, and in 2021, the total population was estimated to be between four and 20 birds.

However, recent surveys have discovered the Mukarrthippi Grasswren at three new locations within Yathong Nature Reserve, more than six kilometres away from the previously known habitat. These new sites feature the bird’s preferred spinifex and mallee habitat.

At least six birds have been observed in these new locations, expanding its known range.

To protect and restore the Mukarrthippi Grasswren, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is declaring core habitat as an asset of intergenerational significance, providing stronger legislative protection under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.

Special fire management plans are being developed, and the habitat will be included in a large feral predator-free area to prevent the rare bird being killed by cats. Research and monitoring efforts, including remote-sensing surveys to map key habitat, are ongoing.

“Mukarrthippi” [mook-wah-tippy] translates to “small bird of the spinifex” in the language of the Ngiyampaa people. The Mukarrthippi Grasswren is a subspecies of the striated grasswren.

They measure 14.5 to 19 cm long and weigh 15-23 grams, approximately the same as two AA batteries. Their slender bill, long blackish-brown tail, soft reddish-brown upperparts with white streaks, and buff underparts with heavy white streaking on the breast make them distinctive.

The survey and conservation efforts have been undertaken in collaboration with BirdLife Australia and have received funding from Saving our Species.

Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“The Mukarrthippi Grasswren is one of Australia’s rarest birds so finding more of them in new locations is a huge boost to our efforts to prevent its extinction.

“This discovery is thanks to dedicated field scientists who have been searching for the little bird in one of our most remote national parks.

“NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is working to protect and restore this very elusive bird through fire management and feral animal control strategies.

“I hope the discovery will inspire many citizen scientists to take part in the 10th annual Aussie Bird Count this weekend, as National Bird Week draws to a close.”

The NSW Government has today announced plans to transform part of Moore Park Golf Course into a new thriving public park.

Moore Park Golf Course currently sits on 45 hectares of public land. The land has been operated as a golf course under successive service agreements with the NSW Government.

The current operating agreement expires in June 2026.

From that time, the NSW Government intends to repurpose up to 20 hectares of the golf course into a new central park in the heart of Sydney with more green space, grassroots sports and recreation.

It’s time this green space in the heart of the city shifts from being used only as a public golf course accessible only to paying golfers into parkland that supports our growing city.

The Government will commence public consultations with the City of Sydney, the local community, and stakeholders on how best to revitalise this public asset including for the use of community sport.

A discussion paper will be released in early 2024 to guide this consultation, including consultation with the current operator of Moore Park Golf Course on the future of the remaining holes and the operation of the clubhouse and driving range.

The Government’s preferred option is the western boundary and part of the section north of Dacey Avenue which will maximise accessibility to this much needed new park for residents of Green Square, Zetland and Waterloo.

Green Square urban renewal area presently has 33,000 people living within it.  It needs more open space as it is expected to become one of the most densely populated areas in Australia with the City of Sydney estimating that by 2040 80,000 residents will live within 2 km of Moore Park.

Visitors will also be the beneficiaries of access to this new park with over 30 million visits to the neighbouring Centennial Parklands every single year. The NSW Government will also commence discussions with the City of Sydney on a memorandum of understanding on ongoing maintenance of the new park.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“Over the past century, Sydney has changed significantly. When the golf course was first established, the surrounding areas were largely industrial lands.

“Significant urban regeneration has seen housing density around Green Square and Zetland transform industrial land into a vibrant community.

“As we work to tackle the housing crisis facing NSW by building up, we know that delivering public infrastructure including parks is more important than ever before.

“There is huge demand from residents in the city for a variety of community sporting facilities in the city’s inner south, and with further density planned this will only grow.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“We’ve always said were focused on increasing housing with supporting infrastructure – today’s announcement is a great start, that’s why we have committed $2.2 billion in enabling infrastructure in the Budget.

“This land is part of Sydney’s backyard. We can repurpose this area as public open space while retaining a golf course and driving range.

“We know that getting more people into homes closer to the city through increased density, needs to be supported with more open space.

“The communities of Redfern, Waterloo, Green Square and Zetland are crying out for more green space and this change will go a long way to satisfying their needs.”

Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich said:

“This announcement respects the growing need of the expanding inner city for new open green space and I thank the government for returning this precious parkland back to public use.”