Category: NSW News

People living in apartment blocks, retirement villages and caravan parks are among the 150,000 energy customers set to benefit from tough new rules to lower energy bills and increase consumer protections for people living in embedded networks.

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government today announced its Embedded Network Action Plan to cut energy bills, which includes:

• Introducing a maximum, IPART determined price for gas and for hot and chilled water supplied through embedded networks.
• Initiating an IPART review into electricity prices in embedded networks, to recommend whether the maximum price within embedded networks should be set below the Commonwealth’s default market offer.
• Initiating an IPART review on whether the NSW Government should ban the establishment of new hot and chilled water embedded networks.

The NSW Government will also write to the Australian Energy Regulator requesting that it only approve new electricity and gas embedded networks that are in the interests of consumers, and offering to initiate changes to the National Electricity and Gas Rules if necessary in order to achieve that outcome.

Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean said that embedded networks have failed to deliver for many energy consumers, adding complexity and holding back customers from getting the best deals the market has to offer.

“Whether you’re living in a free-standing home, or in an apartment block, caravan park or retirement village, every family should be able to access essential services at a fair price,” Mr Kean said.  

“These reforms will help ensure that embedded network customers are no longer disadvantaged simply because of where they choose to live.”

Embedded networks are private energy networks which on-sell energy from retailers to households and small businesses in multiple premises like apartment blocks, retirement villages, caravan parks and shopping centres.  

The Energy and Water Ombudsman estimated 95,400 households lived in residences within electricity embedded networks and there are a further 64,000 hot water embedded network customers.

The number of embedded networks in Australia has increased recently due to a new business model where developers outsource the ownership of the energy infrastructure beyond the connection point with the electricity or gas distributor.

This can lower building costs for developers and in return the third party can become the monopoly provider of energy to the building.

These reforms build on recent work by the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government to:

• Put downward pressure on bills through delivery of the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap
• Provide a range of energy rebates including rebates for low income households, family tax benefit recipients and seniors, along with energy account payment assistance
• Commit to $250 rebates under the NSW Energy Bill Saver program for households who compare their current energy deal

Sydney will cement itself as the home of women’s AFL and Rugby League with the Showring Oval at Moore Park one step closer to a state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence, thanks to a $15 million grant from the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government.

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said women’s sport is booming across NSW and the multi-sport project, in partnership with AFL NSW/ACT and the Sydney Roosters would provide grassroots players access to a world-class training hub. 

“This facility will be a fantastic community asset, bridging the gap between elite and grassroots sports, which will help grow participation and provide local talent pathways for our future AFLW and NRLW stars year round,” Mr Henskens said.

“Since 2017, the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has invested more than $2 billion grassroots community sport, through infrastructure grant programs and our nation-leading Active Kids voucher program.”

The project will deliver a community oval and multi-purpose green spaces, universally inclusive change rooms and amenities, and a high-performance training and administration centre.

Head of AFL NSW/ACT, Tiffany Robertson, said this is a truly exciting moment for Australian football across community, talent pathways and the elite game in Sydney and across NSW.

“A revitalised Showring Oval in Moore Park will help accommodate the increasing number of women and girls striving to be their best on the football field as well as provide a world-class facility for multiple sporting groups and the broader community to share,” Ms Robertson said.

“Thank you to our project partners and the NSW Government for acknowledging and supporting the value of a reimagined Showring Oval.”

Roosters CEO, Joe Kelly, said the first Women’s rugby league match was played in Australia in 1921 on what was previously known as the showgrounds of the Royal Agricultural Society.

“More than a hundred years later, it is a wonderful reflection of the pace at which women’s participation in sports like rugby league and AFL is growing, that the NSW Government has committed to re-developing Showring Oval with both the Sydney Roosters and AFL,” Mr Kelly said.

Projects funded through the Centre of Excellence Fund must include multi-purpose facilities, enabling organisations to expand community programs and engage with the community.

City of Newcastle has welcomed the prospect of unlocking billions of dollars of investment and hundreds of local jobs after the Federal Government opened consultation into establishing Australia’s second offshore wind zone off the coast of Newcastle.

The announcement was made by Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen during a visit to Newcastle today.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said a renewable energy industry built on large-scale offshore wind farms would offer a sustainable new future for Newcastle, which was once home to Australia’s first large scale, land-based single wind turbine at Kooragang Island.

“City of Newcastle has a long history of supporting and implementing renewable energy projects, including becoming the first local government in NSW to move to 100 per cent renewable electricity,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We are committed to transitioning towards a low carbon economy to ensure future generations can continue to enjoy our city and region, and believe that a mix of renewables, including offshore wind, is essential to achieving this target.

“Offshore wind also provides the perfect opportunity to diversify Newcastle’s economy by pivoting thousands of jobs in the local manufacturing, construction, maritime, transport and logistics industries into the renewable energy sector.

“In addition, the accessibility of the Port of Newcastle and our existing local skills base would allow offshore wind to precipitate the emergence of a new renewable energy industry in Newcastle and the Hunter.

“This can unlock billions in new investment in renewable energy infrastructure and pave the way for our city to become the renewable energy hub for the Asia-Pacific region.”

Cr Nelmes said the offshore wind industry offers many potential benefits for Newcastle, but was mindful of the need for measures to be put in place to protect and deliver local jobs, and consider any potential impacts on visual amenity and our marine environment.

“With the correct legislative and regulatory framework, offshore wind along the coast of Newcastle has the potential to play a significant role in sustaining our state’s future energy needs, and provide a significant boost to the local economy,” Cr Nelmes said.

“However, its development must be done with guarantees in place that it would preference the employment of local workers and use of local materials for the benefit of our communities.”

Organisations committed to solving critical connectivity issues will receive $3.5 million in funding as part of NSW Telco Authority’s Next Generation Digital Connectivity initiative.

The initiative aims to provide connectivity to recovery assistance points for people affected by disasters, enhance technology and keep communities connected.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the NSW Government was partnering with a select number of businesses to trial a range of different connectivity solutions for emergency services, government agencies and the community.

“Digital connectivity is essential to everyday life, whether it’s emergency services able to communicate during a bushfire, or a person in a remote community able to contact a loved one anywhere in the world,” Mr Dominello said.

“Thanks to the collaboration created through these trials, the Government will drive innovative solutions and create ground-breaking projects that could shape the future of connectivity.

“The Next Generation Digital Connectivity trials are the building blocks for potentially bigger future projects, whose scopes could reach across the Government.”

Mr Dominello said there was no one-size fits all solution to the connectivity challenges currently faced by NSW businesses and citizens and investment in evolving technology was crucial to deliver seamless connectivity. 

“The funding will enable partnerships with industry and government agencies to leverage their resources, skills and knowledge to create ground-breaking solutions that will drive the future of connectivity,” Mr Dominello said.

The initiative will include trials with the NSW Rural Fire Service, Service NSW, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and the NSW Reconstruction Authority who will work with industry partners to find real-world solutions for specific connectivity challenges.

Following a request for proposals in September 2022, NSW Telco Authority determined proposals by Wireless Innovations, Av-Comm, Vocus, Optus, and Field Solutions Group were best suited to work with the NSW Government to conduct trials to better understand how to solve state-wide connectivity challenges. 

Findings from the trials are expected to be published in mid-2023.

For more information about NSW Telco Authority visit:   https://www.nsw.gov.au/telco-authority

A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will appoint a new Supply Chain Commissioner to work closely with industry to unblock supply chains across the state and help drive down the cost of groceries and goods.

The Commissioner will immediately move to establish a freight and logistics taskforce to look at innovative ways to drive down transport costs for goods to get the best deal for families across NSW.

Under the plan, the Commissioner will work closely with the NSW Productivity Commissioner, NSW Agriculture Commissioner and industry to:

•       Tackle truck driver shortages by subsidising heavy vehicle course fees by up to $1,000 for 7,000 people aged under 30, including for new truckies and upgrading existing heavy vehicle licence class holders;

•       Ensure the delivery of the Liberal and Nationals’ $300 million Fast Tracking Freight program which will tackle freight pinch points on the road and rail network; 

•       Drive national reform around packaging to cut red tape and create consistency to reduce packaging costs; and

•       Address pinch points at our ports by ensuring goods are checked and cleared faster, reducing storage costs for businesses.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the Liberal and Nationals Government was tackling current supply chain challenges head on in order to help ease family budgets.

“Family budgets across the state are doing it tough, with a perfect storm of global economic pressures driving up the price of food, groceries and everyday goods,” Mr Perrottet said.

“We know that supply chain issues have been one of the biggest contributors to inflation, with the pandemic, war in Ukraine and extreme weather events wreaking havoc on our freight industry. 

“That is why we will move quickly to appoint a new Supply Chain Commissioner who will be specifically tasked with finding innovative ways to unblock our supply chains and ensure families get the best deal at the checkout.

“By tackling our supply chain issues head on, we will provide long term relief to families feeling the pinch from rising inflation.

“This is on top of more than $7 billion already provided by our Liberal and Nationals Government to help ease the pressure on household budgets, which is only possible thanks to our long-term economic plan to keep our state moving forward.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said boosting the number

of truckies will help get produce from farms and factories to our ports and supermarket shelves quicker, meaning lower costs for producers and lower prices for families.

“We know the industry is feeling the pressure from worker and skills shortages especially in our regions, which is in turn putting pressure on our freight and logistics lines and driving up prices,” Mr Farraway said.

“Slashing the cost of heavy vehicle licences courses by up to 50 per cent for people under the age of 30 will allow these young drivers to more easily upskill and upgrade to a Multi Combination licence, which will allow them to drive bigger trucks like road trains and b- doubles, and will help tackle driver shortages. 

“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is already getting on with the job of upgrading key supply chain routes like our major highways and rail freight lines. 

“This is about testing the efficacy and streamlining the process of what currently takes place outside of the farm gate to make life easier for households now and into the future.”  

If re-elected, the Liberal and Nationals Government has also committed $300 million to Fast Track Freight by tackling freight pinch points and improving the capacity and resilience of the road and rail network.

Road Freight NSW CEO Simon O’Hara welcomed the announcement and said better planning and more collaboration across the sector was key to having a superior supply chain network. “Freight is a $66 billion industry and COVID, bushfires and the recent floods have made it very clear we must invest in upgrading our freight corridors to be more resilient so we can keep goods moving and our economy ticking,” Mr O’Hara said.

Coles Chief Operations and Sustainability Officer Matt Swindells said: “Resilient supply chains are essential for ensuring all Australian’s receive access to food and other basic necessities. “We welcome the appointment of a Supply Chain Commissioner and remain committed to working with the government and Productivity Commission on strengthening our local supply chains and building greater long term resilience.” 

Community sport organisations across South Coast and Bega are set to benefit from more than $80,000 in funding thanks to the NSW Government’s Local Sport Grants Program.

Liberal candidate for South Coast, Luke Sikora, and Bega, Russell Fitzpatrick, welcomed the announcement and said the 16 projects funded across South Coast and Bega would turbocharge participation in sport across all age groups and bring the community closer together.

“It is so important we continue supporting our local sporting clubs on the South Coast. They are the life-blood of our communities and key to ensuring our kids live a healthy and happy lifestyle,” Mr Sikora said.

Mr Fitzpatrick said: “Sporting clubs play a terrific role linking the community together. This funding injection will be put to good use to support these organisations across the Bega area.”

Grants of between $2,000 and $10,000 per project were available with up to $50,000 available in each electorate.

Local sporting organisations benefitting in South Coast include:

• Bay and Basin Amateur Swimming Club
• Conjola Stingrays Outrigger Canoe Club
• Jervis Bay Outrigger Canoe Club
• Mako Paddle Club
• Milton Ulladulla Touch Football Association
• Nowra Warriors JRLFC
• St Georges Basin Junior Rugby League Club   

Local sporting organisations benefitting in Bega include:

• Dalmeny Boardriders Association
• Eden Whaler Football Club INC
• Eurobodalla Netball Association
• Malua Boardriders Inc
• Moruya Skydivers Club Incorporated
• Sapphire Coast Outrigger Canoe Club
• Tathra Mountain Bike Club

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the program will encourage people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the benefits of sport and active recreation.

“This funding will provide a cash injection to help improve sport facilities, enhance accessibility and hold new and exciting events and development programs,” Mr Henskens said.

“No government has invested in community sport like the Liberal and Nationals, and this program is another example of the more than $1 billion we’ve pumped into grassroots community facilities and infrastructure.”

More information about the program is available online.

Women who undergo egg freezing will be able to claim a $2,000 rebate in an Australian first, thanks to a $4 million expansion of the NSW Government’s $80 million Affordable IVF Initiative. 

A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will expand the eligibility criteria of the Fertility Treatment Rebate to cover egg freezing procedures and boost the number of places to 14,000.

Liberal candidate for Vaucluse Kellie Sloane said more than 1,000 women undergo egg freezing each year in NSW, and the NSW Liberal Nationals Government is committed to supporting them.

“This is all about giving women more choice and taking some of the stress away from undergoing fertility treatments,” Ms Sloane said.

“With one egg freezing cycle costing up to $10,000, this rebate will help thousands of women choose what is best for them.”

Liberal candidate for Coogee Dr Kylie von Muenster said that more than 2,200 rebates have already been paid to women undergoing IVF treatments since applications opened on 1 January, with story after story of couples finally being able to make their dream of starting a family a reality.

“NSW is already one of the most affordable places in the world to have fertility treatments thanks to our IVF rebates, and we hope these new egg freezing rebates set a precedent for further Commonwealth investment in women’s health and fertility treatments.” Dr von Muenster said.

To be eligible for the $2,000 rebate from Service NSW you must:

• be a resident of NSW
• have incurred an out-of-pocket cost from a registered Assisted Reproductive Treatment provider who has determined the procedure is in your best interests
• have accessed the treatment from 1 July 2023.

The NSW Affordable IVF Initiative, announced as part of the NSW Government’s 2022-23 Budget, also includes:

• providing a $2000 rebate for fertility preservation, IVF or other assisted reproductive technology treatments
• extending the $250 rebates for pre-IVF fertility testing
• expanding statewide access to lower cost IVF treatment through publicly-supported clinics
• boosting fertility preservation services for patients with cancer and other   medical needs

Liberal candidate for Holsworthy Tina Ayyad has welcomed the announcement that a re-elected NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $10 million over four years to boost safety and security for faith communities.

Ms Ayyad said the funding would be put to good use for various faith communities who make a valuable contribution to the Holsworthy area.

“This funding will deliver various safety improvements for faith communities who are vital to the fabric of Holsworthy area,” Ms Ayyad said.

“It’s important that everyone in our community feels safe as they move around the area and live their lives.”

Through a $10 million grants program, faith organisations will be supported to strengthen safety and security at religious institutions where there is a demonstrated risk, including places of worship, schools, community centres, and buildings with religious symbols.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said everyone across NSW should be able to follow and practice their faith freely and without fear or concern for their safety and wellbeing.

“No matter where you’re from, what language you speak, or the faith you follow, everyone deserves tolerance and respect in our state,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This commitment will build on this principle to protect communities, increase tolerance and ultimately help people feel safer.”

The $10 million program will provide capital and operational funding for a range of safety measures to strengthen preparedness and response to safety risks, including security and detection software and systems, communal security services, lighting, fencing, CCTV, training staff, and well-being programs for community members. Importantly, support for guards and management of security at high-risk venues or particularly at-risk sites will also be eligible for funding, as assessed by NSW Police.

Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said this investment will empower faith groups and organisations to do what they need in order to keep their communities safe.

“We have worked incredibly hard over the years to foster a multicultural and multi-faith society built on mutual respect, understanding and harmony. This investment forms part of our vision to ensure that continues,” Mr Coure said.

Welcoming the announcement, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Darren Bark said anti-Semitic incidents are at their highest levels NSW has ever seen.

“An attack on one faith is an attack on us all, and this much-needed funding will go a long way to keeping all communities in NSW safe from harm,” Mr Bark said.

“Hate leads to violence, and today’s announcement ensures faith communities are equipped to deter violent attacks, and assists authorities with the prosecution of the offenders.

We thank the NSW Government and the members of the Religious Communities Advisory Council, who have made this a reality.”

Australian National Imams Council President Sheikh Shadi Alsuleiman also welcomed the announcement.

“Islamophobia and other faith-based hate is on the rise, and all of our institutions need ongoing support in order to be protected,” Mr Alsuleiman said.

“Safety and security was identified as a priority when the Council was formed, and with increasing threats to our communities from right-wing extremists. We are very grateful to the NSW Government for this important funding.”

This commitment complements a range of measures implemented by the NSW Liberals and Nationals to improve community safety and social cohesion, including prohibiting the public display of Nazi symbols and creating a new offence of publicly threatening or inciting violence against people on several grounds, including race and religious affiliation.

The NSW Government consulted with the new Religious Communities Advisory Council on safety and security during its inaugural meeting on Monday, 23 January 2023.

The Albanese and Malinauskas Governments are working together to fast track more beds at Flinders Medical Centre, as planning for the $400 million jointly funded upgrade commences.

An extra 26 new acute inpatient beds will open at Flinders Medical Centre in the next few weeks helping ease pressure on the hospital’s emergency department.

A further 16 beds – from the 136 that will be added as part of the $400 million upgrade – will be fast tracked to open in the first half of 2024, four years ahead of schedule.

The additional 26 acute inpatient beds will be rapidly brought online at Flinders in a space vacated by a less-acute ward shifting to a more suitable location at the Repat.

These beds are in addition to the State Malinauskas and Federal Albanese Labor governments’ 50/50 investment of $400 million for a 136-bed upgrade of Flinders.

These 16 beds will be created by clearing and refurbishing an existing admin area – which is being shifted to other spaces within or directly adjacent to the FMC site.

Clinical consultation and design for these fast-tracked beds will begin in coming days, with works expected to start later this year.

The $400 million upgrade also includes new surgical and procedural spaces, and updated site infrastructure.

Extra MRI and CT scanners are also due to come online in mid-2023 to improve access to radiography and reduce scan wait times for both the ED, inpatients, and outpatients. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: 

Our partnership to provide a once-in-a-generation upgrade at Flinders Medical Centre is part of Labor’s commitment to addressing the ramping crisis and ensuring Flinders is well-equipped to deliver high quality care.

My Government is committed to working with all State and Territory Governments to put patients first and strengthen Medicare.

We’ve already slashed the cost of PBS medications, saving South Australians more than $1.2 million over the month of January, and have opened up Expressions of Interest for five new Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in South Australia.

Health Minister Mark Butler said:

The Albanese Government is working with the Malinauskas Government to strengthening Medicare.

People in the southern suburbs deserve the best clinical care and this will enable our highly trained staff to do their very best for the community.

We know how vital it is to open every extra bed that we can, to boost services for the expanding southern suburbs.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said:

Our Government has been clear that one of our main priorities is addressing the ramping crisis that we inherited from the previous Liberal government which failed to take any action.

We are delivering a generational investment to rebuild the health system. 

We are building more than 200 beds in the south, and we are working hard to bring those beds online as soon as possible. 

South Australian Minister for Health and Wellbeing Chris Picton said:

We know a major cause of ramping is bed block and hospital overcrowding, so this significant boost in bed numbers will help ease the strain on our health system.

While the Liberals’ solution to ramping at Flinders was to cut acute beds, only making the problem worse, we are delivering more acute beds, ensuring people who need hospital admission will be moved to a bed faster. 

SALHN Chief Executive Officer Kerrie Freeman said:

Our staff are so pleased that these much-needed beds are being fast-tracked for delivery.

The beds will enable our dedicated clinical staff to improve access to care by being able to move people from the emergency department into a bed in a timely manner.

Six hundred high-achieving public school teachers from across NSW will be the first to earn salaries of up to $152,000, thanks to a $100 million commitment from the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government.

The first cohort of 200 teachers across more than 50 schools will start in 2023, helping shape the career pathway before it is expanded across NSW.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government was future-proofing education by attracting the best teachers into the profession, and keeping them in the classroom to lift student outcomes across the State.

“This is seismic reform that will modernise the teaching profession and ensure we have the best teachers in our classrooms to benefit students for generations to come,” Mr Perrottet said.

“We want our children to have the best start in life and that all starts with a world-class education. The Rewarding Excellence in Teaching career pathway recognises outstanding work and ensures teachers stay in the profession.”

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said if re-elected a NSW Liberal and Nationals Government would create 600 additional roles for highly-effective teachers over four years with a vision of growing the roles further.

“Our vision is for Rewarding Excellence in Teaching to be an integral part of the classroom career pathway in NSW schools, which is why we are doing the work now to get this right and making a clear commitment to delivering this reform longer-term,” Ms Mitchell said.

“Parents and students engage with amazing teachers every day in our schools and this commitment means those teachers stay in the classroom.”

Professor John Hattie, who has been the lead independent adviser on the reform, said the scale of 600 teachers over four years was the right step towards system-wide reform, based on extensive research and consultation.

“The best evidence says you need to co-design these roles in partnership with schools to get the biggest uplift in student outcomes. Over time, we would want to see this scaled up to around 10 per cent of teachers, or about 6,600 roles, to have the biggest impact,” Professor Hattie said.

“To help ensure these higher paid positions are as effective as possible, an initial group of more than 50 schools will be working with us to co-design the roles and what works best in different school contexts.”

The Rewarding Excellence in Teaching Program has been the subject of one of the largest consultation processes ever undertaken by the NSW Department of Education, as detailed in the ‘Rewarding Excellence in Teaching – Consultation Playback Report’ published today.

The consultation included:

• 117 roundtables held across every school network in NSW
• 1,267 teachers from 849 schools directly consulted
• 4,554 online surveys completed

Schools involved in the first phase of the program represent a cross-section of school settings from across the State:

• Albion Park Rail Public School
• Asquith Girls High School
• Bellbird Public School
• Belmore South Public School
• Ben Venue Public School
• Blacktown Girls High School
• Brooke Avenue Public School
• Buninyong Public School
• Byron Bay High School
• Callaghan College, Wallsend Campus
• Callaghan College, Waratah Campus
• Cecil Hills High School
• Cobbitty Public School
• Cronulla South Public School
• Croppa Creek Public School
• Denman Public School
• Eastwood Heights Public School
• Elanora Heights Public School
• Epping Heights Public School
• Fairfield West Public School
• Francis Greenway High School
• Girraween Public School
• Glendale East Public School
• Gorokan High School
• Guyra Central School
• Gymea Technology High Schoo
• Jordan Springs Public School
• Kapooka Public School
• Kyeemagh Public School
• Londonderry Public School
• Millthorpe Public School
• Minchinbury Public School
• Murray Farm Public School
• Narrabeen Sports High School
• Newcastle High School
• Oakhill Drive Public School
• Parramatta Public School
• Prestons Public School
• Russell Lea Public School
• Sackville Street Public School
• Southern Cross School of Distance Education
• Stokers Siding Public School
• Strathfield South High School
• Tarcutta Public School
• Temora High School
• The Grange Public School
• The Ponds School
• Thornleigh West Public School
• Ulladulla High School
• Wattle Grove Public School
• Woodport Public School
• Woollahra Public School