Category: NSW News

A re-elected NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will inject $23 million in to Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) to deliver vital new rescue equipment to help keep people safe along our coastline.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the funding would deliver additional rescue vehicles, jet skis, Emergency Response Beacons and communications upgrades right across the state.

“Our volunteer surf lifesavers are the lifeblood of our coastal communities, working tirelessly to protect people right up and down our state’s coastline,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This is the biggest investment that any state government has committed to SLSNSW in its 116-year history and will equip our volunteers with the equipment they need to continue to keep people as safe as possible.

“Importantly, these new rescue vehicles and jet skis can also be used during other natural disasters like floods, providing greater protections to communities right across the state.”

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the funding includes an additional $5 million for an expansion of the successful Surf Club Facilities Program.

“Surf clubs are community hubs for our coastal towns and we are doubling the size of this program so that dozens more facilities can undergo renovations and improvements,” Mr Henskens said.

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the funding commitment for SLSNSW comes at a critical time.

“This summer is not over yet but we’ve already experienced record numbers of rescues and sadly drownings. This extra funding will go a long way towards ensuring our volunteers are better supported to keep our communities safer and stronger,” Ms Cooke said,

SLSNSW President George Shales said an investment in lifesavers is an investment in community safety.

I welcome today’s announcement, which is a significant increase on previous SW Government support for our thousands of volunteers and hundreds of staff. Every single dollar will make a difference to the equipment and resources our volunteers rely on, helping us to save more lives,” Mr Shales said

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s $23 million funding commitment consists of:

• 22 new rescue vehicles and 68 new jet skis, which can also be deployed during other natural disasters like floods;
• 40 additional Emergency Response Beacons, enabling lifesavers to remotely monitor unpatrolled sections of the SW coastline;
• Additional emergency management staff permanently based in Regional NSW;
• Radio communications upgrades along the south and north coasts; and
• An additional $5 million for the Surf Club Facility Program (taking it to $15 million in total), which is administered by the Office of Sport to develop facilities that increase participation in surf life saving for all people, increase usage and improve safety.

There are 76,000 SLSNSW members, of which 21,000 are frontline volunteers who patrol 129 coastal locations every weekend and public holiday between the October long weekend and Anzac Day long weekend.

Two football fields at South Nowra will receive a major lighting boost through the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s $25 million Female Friendly Sport Facilities and Lighting Upgrades Program.

Liberal candidate for South Coast, Luke Sikora, attended the announcement which will make these fields safer and more welcoming to female athletes.

“Everyone should feel safe when they are playing sport in the community and this funding for lighting will be going to good use at South Nowra,” Mr Sikora said.

“Women’s sport is very popular and we want to encourage more participation with an investment like this into community sport.”

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the $339,075 boost would help Shoalhaven City Council deliver high quality floodlighting for Fields 4 and 5 at South Nowra.

“Women’s sport is booming in NSW and this program will deliver the facilities women and girls need and deserve,” Mr Henskens said.

“This groundbreaking program will level the playing field by improving facilities that for decades have been predominately used by men, but now cater for a growing number of women’s and girls’ sporting teams.”

Since 2017 the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has committed more than $1 billion to deliver new and upgraded community sport facilities.

Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock said the facility is used by the football community throughout the year and this investment would help to boost female participation by providing a safer environment for women and girls.

“Community sport is a vital part of our social fabric and some of the biggest barriers faced by women and girls are the lack of female change rooms and amenities, as well as adequate lighting,” Mrs Hancock said.

“South Nowra Football Fields are not only heavily used throughout winter, they’re also used during summer for local football competitions. This funding boost to upgrade lighting will mean more women can play football safely at South Nowra.”

More information about the program is available online.

The historic Fernhill Estate will be transformed into one of Sydney’s great public parklands making it a central part of the NSW Government’s Western Parkland City vision.

A landmark $65 million investment, made possible by the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government’s $5 billion WestInvest Program, will transform the former private Fernhill Estate in Mulgoa into a 423 hectare public park.

The new expansive parklands will support the growth of the new Western Sydney Aerotropolis and will feature a network of paths and walking trails that will connect to the wider Mulgoa Valley, Penrith region and Blue Mountains National Park.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said this investment will secure, protect and enhance critical green space establishing a major new parkland for the people of Western Sydney – one of the youngest, fastest-growing and most diverse populations in the nation.

“We launched WestInvest to secure the best quality of life for families and make West and South West Sydney even better places to live and that is exactly what this project will do,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Parks and public spaces like this are Western Sydney’s answer to Centennial Park and Hyde Park in the east, a generational investment to leave a legacy of beautiful public spaces.

“Investments like this are only possible because of the NSW Liberal and Nationals economic plan for the future.”

The Greater Sydney Parklands will transform the former private property into an accessible public park showcasing the area’s great natural and cultural beauty. This will include:

· New and upgraded park entries for safe vehicle access into the Estate;

· A new estate drive and pedestrian promenade to allow people to walk to Fernhill House from key recreational areas;

· A network of pedestrian paths and walking trails connecting to the wider Mulgoa Valley, Penrith region and Blue Mountains National Park;

· 300m boardwalk around the Northern Dam and access for kayaks and small non-motorised watercraft;

· 1km arc of Indigenous planting in the shape of a lyrebird feather;

· A new nature-based playground and drop-off/pick-up zone for neighbouring Mulgoa Public School;

· Bush revegetation and new interpretative and wayfinding signage.

Treasurer Matt Kean said WestInvest is creating world-class public spaces for the growing Western Sydney population to enjoy now and into the future for exercise, excitement and relaxation.

“When we launched WestInvest, we asked Western Sydney residents what infrastructure projects would change their local areas for the better,” Mr Kean said. 

“The huge majority of responses said they wanted new and improved open and green space and the opportunity to explore nature through walking and cycling tracks. 

“Our WestInvest projects provide something for everyone from adventurers, to young families, to those who simply want to sit back and enjoy nature.”

Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes said the funding would ensure the Western Parkland City lives up to its name.

“We’re putting the park in the heart of the parkland city. Eastern Sydney has its harbour and beaches, Parramatta has its rivers and creeks, and Western Sydney will be defined by freshwater lakes and verdant parklands,” Mr Stokes said.

“WestInvest quite literally uses a motorway to fund a greenway, delivering a legacy of parks, paths and playgrounds for Western Sydney families to enjoy.

“It wasn’t that long ago that the public were almost locked out of Fernhill Estate forever and now it’s going to be completely transformed into one of Sydney’s most-cherished public spaces.”

Fernhill Estate was purchased by the NSW Government in 2018. The upgrades and improvements as part of this investment will take place over the next five years as part of The Foundation Plan of Management to 2026.

To find out more about WestInvest, visit www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/westinvest

A new state of the art sport and health centre of excellence in Leumeah, a huge new sports precinct in Leppington and new Olympic sized swimming pools are among the latest sporting projects funded through the NSW Government’s $5 billion WestInvest program.

Premier Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Sport Alister Henskens today announced more than $309.6 million in funding for local councils and community groups in the Burwood, Camden, Campbelltown, Liverpool, Penrith and Wollondilly LGAs to deliver 14 new and upgraded sports facilities across Western Sydney.

This is in addition to the 15 sports projects announced yesterday, taking the total investment in new sporting facilities through the $1.6 billion WestInvest Community Project Grants – Competitive Round to more than $626 million for 29 projects.

The projects announced today include:

· $52.4 million for the Burwood Council to redevelop the Enfield Aquatic Centre at Enfield including a new 50 metre pool to support swimmers

· $53.4 million for the Liverpool Council to deliver the Carnes Hill Aquatic & Leisure Centre which will upgrade the centre with new 50 metre pool and other amenities

· $21.3 million for Camden Council to deliver open space in Leppington, with three sports fields, three tennis courts, a multipurpose court and three local parks

· $19.1 million for Penrith City Council to upgrade Cook Park Precinct in St Marys to improve access for district level sports;

· $16.7 million for Campbelltown City Council to deliver the Sport and Health Centre of Excellence at Leumeah, in partnership with Western Sydney University, the Macarthur Bulls, Wests Tigers and the South-West Sydney Academy of Sport;

· $5.2 million for Wollondilly Shire Council to upgrade the Waterboard Oval in Warragamba with new and improved facilities to accommodate soccer, cricket, AFL and various court sports.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the projects funded through WestInvest include upgrades to ovals and change rooms to support the increasing number of women in sports and a new centre of excellence to support our elite athletes.

“We want to encourage the growth in women in sport by ensuring we have appropriate change rooms and training facilities, as well as inspiring places to pursue a diverse range of sports,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This WestInvest funding will help drive women’s participation from the grassroots to the elite level, thanks to the long-term economic plan of the Liberal and Nationals Government.

“The new Sport and Health Centre of Excellence at Leumeah will also go a long way to supporting local talent development pathways for athletes into elite sport through specialised science and research programs.”

Treasurer Matt Kean said the funding will boost sports facilities right across Western Sydney, enabling more people to stay active and keep fit.

“No matter where you live, you should have access to state-of-the-art sporting facilities and WestInvest is delivering for Western Sydney,” Mr Kean said.

“This funding will provide greater opportunities for the community to train and play in any weather on any day and maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the WestInvest funding for the open space project in Leppington will deliver essential green and open spaces to encourage health and well-being in one of Western Sydney’s fastest growing suburbs.

“This WestInvest funding will go towards three A-grade sports fields, three tennis-courts, a multipurpose court as well as play areas and amenities,” Mr Henskens said.

“Regardless of age, ability or the sport you play, this investment will deliver critical sport infrastructure and green space that will promote participation and ensure anyone who wants to serve an ace, shoot a hoop, or kick a ball can do so in a safe environment.”

To find out more about WestInvest visit www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/westinvest.

Penrith and Blue Mountains communities will soon benefit from a new intensive care unit, additional inpatient units, renal services and more, with construction now underway on the second state-of-the-art clinical services building at Nepean Hospital.

Premier Dominic Perrottet, Health Minister Brad Hazzard, Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres and Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies have turned the sod on the site of the new building being delivered as part of Stage 2 of the NSW Government’s $1 billion Nepean Hospital Redevelopment.

“Thousands of people in Penrith and the Blue Mountains are already reaping the benefits of the newly-opened 14-storey hospital tower at Nepean Hospital, which now boasts one of the best emergency departments in the State,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This sod turn marks the start of major construction of a second clinical services building, which will take Nepean Hospital to the next level, ensuring it will continue to deliver the very best healthcare for growing Western Sydney communities.”

The new building, which will be connected to the 14-storey tower built under Stage 1, will provide a new adult intensive care unit, more in-patient units, renal services, medical imaging and nuclear medicine services, education and training facilities and an accessible and welcoming front-of-house for patients, visitors and staff.

“Nepean Hospital is undergoing a tremendous transformation thanks to this $1 billion record investment from the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government that will ensure  Western Sydney communities are provided with world-class health services well into the future,” Mr Hazzard said.

“By 2031, more than 468,800 people are expected to call the Nepean Blue Mountains Health District home – up 21 per cent on the population in 2016 and we have planned ahead to meet their healthcare needs.”

Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres acknowledged the health staff who had been key to delivering a first-class hospital redevelopment for Western Sydney communities.

“Our fantastic staff at Nepean Hospital have been instrumental in the design of our new facilities, including the second clinical services building that has now started construction, to ensure they can continue to deliver the very best healthcare to their patients,” Mr Ayres said. 

“The successful recent opening of the new emergency department is a great example of everyone’s commitment and passion. I am extremely grateful to the hospital staff and everyone working on the redevelopment who have helped get us to this exciting milestone.”

Member for Mulgoa, Tanya Davies said the ongoing construction at Nepean Hospital was a great boost for the local economy.

“The Nepean Redevelopment is creating more job opportunities and ensuring better health outcomes for local people,” Ms Davies said.

“More than 3,700 contractors and subcontractors worked on Stage 1 of the Nepean Redevelopment during its construction phase, with 73 per cent of the workforce from Western Sydney.”

CPB Constructions has been awarded the tender to build the second clinical services building. Stage 2 of the redevelopment also includes an expansion of community-based healthcare in the Penrith area. Construction of this community service will begin once the design process has been finalised with hospital staff.

A new Pathology Unit is also being constructed at Nepean Hospital as part of Stage 2, and clinical areas are being repurposed to better co-locate services and improve patient access.

The NSW Government is investing a record $11.9 billion in health infrastructure over four years to 2025-26. Since 2011, the NSW Government has delivered more than 180 health capital projects across NSW, with more than 130 projects currently underway.

In Western Sydney and South Western Sydney, the NSW Government has delivered, or is delivering, around 40 health capital projects, with a total investment of just on $8 billion.

For more information about the Nepean Hospital Redevelopment visit: https://www.nepeanredevelopment.health.nsw.gov.au/

Link to animation and artists impressions

New designs have been unveiled showcasing the state-of-the-art $750 million Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, which will see a doubling of treatment spaces in the emergency department and a 30 per cent increase in bed capacity in the Intensive Care Unit.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said a new 15-storey tower will be the centrepiece of what is the most significant redevelopment in the hospital’s proud 140-year history.

“This redevelopment is a once-in-a-generation project, delivering 1400 direct construction jobs and thousands more indirect jobs but most importantly, it will expand the cutting-edge healthcare facilities and services on the campus,” Mr Hazzard said.

“The redevelopment will deliver more state-of-the-art operating theatre space including a hybrid theatre to facilitate complex surgeries, double the recovery space, as well as deliver a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with 30 per cent more capacity.”

RPA is one of Australia’s leading hospitals, renowned for its excellence in providing innovative health care and education for the 740,000 people who live in the Local Health District, and the more than one million people who work or transit daily in the vicinity of the campus, including patients, visitors and students.

The bright, contemporary design of the new tower will seamlessly connect to the existing hospital campus and includes a new northern entry from Johns Hopkins Drive, which will improve access for the community to the campus.

Mr Hazzard also today officially opened the new, expanded RPA Kidney Dialysis Centre,  one of the first new facilities to be delivered as part of the early works for the redevelopment.

“The new dialysis centre will ensure people with chronic kidney disease are receiving the best possible life-saving care in a comfortable, modern health facility, supported by a fantastic team of renal and renal transplant clinicians,” Mr Hazzard said.

Co-located with the Kidney Centre’s outpatient services for the convenience of patients and their carers, more than 160 patients have received ongoing dialysis treatment in the facility, in addition to more than 50 patients who have been trained or updated for home dialysis treatment.

It includes 38 new haemodialysis chairs, three peritoneal dialysis rooms and an additional 10 home training chairs for patients learning to self-dialyse. 

The $750 million RPA Redevelopment includes: 

· Expanded and enhanced emergency department and intensive care units

· State-of-the-art operating theatres

· Expanded and improved adult inpatient accommodation

· Increased interventional and imaging services

· Expanded neonatology services

· Improved roads, signage and landscaping throughout the hospital

· A new open garden courtyard

· Rooftop helipad

Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive Dr Teresa Anderson AM said staff were excited to see the stunning new designs and flythrough of the redevelopment, which will support millions of health workers, patients and their families in the years ahead.

“This expansion will allow us to build on the world-class services we already provide to the people of Sydney and NSW,” Dr Anderson said.

“From expanded emergency rooms to state-of-the-art operating theatres and much more, the health and wellbeing of our patients and their families has been at the forefront of this new design.”

Early enabling works for the redevelopment are currently underway alongside the planning and design of the new hospital expansion, with the main works construction contract expected to be awarded in late 2023.

Planning for the redevelopment is progressing, with the final State Significant Development Application recently submitted with the NSW Department of Planning and Environment and currently on public exhibition.

Construction for the RPA Hospital redevelopment is expected to be completed in 2028, and is part of the NSW Government’s record $11.9 billion investment in health infrastructure to 2025-26.

The NSW Government has invested $18 billion in health infrastructure since 2011.

For more information visit: www.rparedevelopment.health.nsw.gov.au 

Click here to view the flythrough video

New South Wales has maintained the lowest unemployment rate among the states for the fifth consecutive month, according to today’s ABS labour force data.
 
The figure shows 5,100 fewer people are in work but the unemployment rate remained steady at 3.1 per cent. The national unemployment rate increased to 3.7 per cent.
 
The female unemployment rate is 2.8 per cent in NSW, the lowest since monthly records began.
 
NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said today’s figures demonstrated the strength of the NSW economy and the impact of the state’s initiatives for women and childcare.
 
“We expect our initiatives for women and childcare will support more women in employment and unlock future productivity dividends to strengthen our economy,” Mr Kean said.
 
“Today’s results are encouraging considering the current national and international economic challenges we’re facing here in NSW.”

Liberal candidate for Leppington, Therese Fedeli, has welcomed significant investment in the local community from the NSW Government’s $5 billion WestInvest program.

“This is an incredibly exciting day for the Leppington community. Whether it’s a swimming pool, sports fields, tennis courts and parks, this is the investment that binds a community together,” she said.

“The Premier again visited to make this major announcement which shows his commitment to the Leppington area as a whole. This is a government that has a long term economic plan which delivers on investments like this.”

The projects announced today include:

· $53.4 million for the Liverpool Council to deliver the Carnes Hill Aquatic & Leisure Centre which will upgrade the centre with a new 50 metre pool and other amenities; and

· $21.3 million for Camden Council to deliver open space in Leppington, with three sports fields, three tennis courts, a multipurpose court and three local parks.

Premier Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Sport Alister Henskens announced more than $309.6 million in funding for local councils and community groups in the Burwood, Camden, Campbelltown, Liverpool, Penrith and Wollondilly LGAs to deliver 14 new and upgraded sports facilities across Western Sydney.

This is in addition to the 15 sports projects announced yesterday, taking the total investment in new sporting facilities through the $1.6 billion WestInvest Community Project Grants – Competitive Round to more than $626 million for 29 projects.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the projects funded through WestInvest include upgrades to ovals and change rooms to support the increasing number of women in sports and a new centre of excellence to support our elite athletes.

“We want to encourage the growth in women in sport by ensuring we have appropriate change rooms and training facilities, as well as inspiring places to pursue a diverse range of sports,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This WestInvest funding will help drive women’s participation from the grassroots to the elite level, thanks to the long-term economic plan of the Liberal and Nationals Government.

“The new Sport and Health Centre of Excellence at Leumeah will also go a long way to supporting local talent development pathways for athletes into elite sport through specialised science and research programs.”

Treasurer Matt Kean said the funding will boost sports facilities right across Western Sydney, enabling more people to stay active and keep fit.

“No matter where you live, you should have access to state-of-the-art sporting facilities and WestInvest is delivering for Western Sydney,” Mr Kean said.

“This funding will provide greater opportunities for the community to train and play in any weather on any day and maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the WestInvest funding for the open space project in Leppington will deliver essential green and open spaces to encourage health and well-being in one of Western Sydney’s fastest growing suburbs.

“This WestInvest funding will go towards three A-grade sports fields, three tennis-courts, a multipurpose court as well as play areas and amenities,” Mr Henskens said.

“Regardless of age, ability or the sport you play, this investment will deliver critical sport infrastructure and green space that will promote participation and ensure anyone who wants to serve an ace, shoot a hoop, or kick a ball can do so in a safe environment.”

To find out more about WestInvest visit www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/westinvest.

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is taking action to protect the 400,000 construction jobs across the state by strengthening industrial relations and procurement oversight for Government projects.

The boost to the Construction Compliance Unit will further protect the state’s $116.6 billion infrastructure pipeline and the jobs and families it supports.

The move comes after the federal Labor Government abolished the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) and the federal building code of conduct.

The federal instruments had successfully underpinned productive growth and lawful conduct in the industry, supporting the construction boom in NSW over the last decade.

In response to federal Labor abandoning sensible regulatory safeguards in the construction industry, the NSW Government is stepping in to fill the void by:

· Boosting funding to the NSW Construction Compliance Unit (CCU) by $1.3 million a year for proactive monitoring, reporting and compliance activities;

· Increasing unannounced site visits on NSW Government-funded infrastructure projects by the CCU and

· Commencing an open consultation with industry stakeholders to review the NSW Building and Construction Procurement Guidelineswhich regulate the conduct of building and construction work on NSW Government projects.

These measures will protect against cost and time blow outs that would lead to a less productive industry with fewer jobs.

Treasurer Matt Kean said the Liberal and Nationals Government was committed to a flourishing construction industry that delivers for workers, taxpayers and the broader community.

“The benefits of our record infrastructure pipeline will be felt far and wide and we cannot allow Labor’s sabotage of a successful regulatory framework to put those projects and jobs in jeopardy,” Mr Kean said.

“We are just catching up from Labor’s abysmal record on infrastructure delivery in this state and proper regulation of the construction industry is a crucial part of the Liberal and Nationals delivering for the people of NSW.”

Minister for Employee Relations Damien Tudehope said opposition to regulation of the construction industry and the ABCC was not in the best interests of workers.

“The Liberal and Nationals Government has a proven track record of driving a consistent pipeline of good jobs in construction and we want this to continue,” Mr Tudehope said.  

“Construction union membership is under 10 per cent in Australia but we know from the experience in other states that this minority can impose an enormously damaging impact from shutting down projects, coercive and illegal action and dragging out industrial disputes with ambit claims.

“Whether it’s promoting compliance when a new tunnel is being dug or at a motorway expansion project, these measures will mitigate against the risk of delay or interruption to the state’s major infrastructure projects.”

Brian Seidler, Executive Director of Master Builders Association NSW, said following the abolition of the ABCC last year, it was pleasing to see the NSW Government taking steps to ensure that construction sites here have some protections from unlawful and coercive behaviours.

“Since at least 1982 multiple Royal Commissions and judicial enquiries have recognised that the unique nature of commercial construction means that the industry is especially vulnerable to unethical and illegal behaviour, and as such requires special measures in order to deter illegal behavior,” Mr Seidler said.

“Greater oversight and increased funding for the NSW CCU to undertake proactive monitoring, reporting and compliance activities is welcomed.”

The Perrottet Government’s two-year funding boost for the Productivity Bootcamp will give hundreds more young people from the South Coast access to training construction industry opportunities.

Liberal Candidate for South Coast, Luke Sikora, welcomed the $3.2 million extension of the program, which will help 16 to 25 year olds develop pre-trade skills for jobs on local construction projects.

“This funding for additional training opportunities will help us to bolster out local workforce in a critical industry that will be building South Coast’s future,” said Mr Sikora. “I am proud to be running for the Perrottet Government which is investing in empowering our communities and building South Coast’s future.”

Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the funding boost builds on the Liberal and Nationals Government’s record $3.1 billion skills budget, which is part of our long-term economic plan to keep NSW moving forward.

“The South Coast continues to benefit from the Liberal and Nationals government’s record infrastructure investment, but with that comes great demand for skilled workers.

“We’re already investing record funds in TAFE NSW and delivering an unprecedented level of fee-free training to help people get the skills they need for the jobs they want.

“This funding for Productivity Bootcamp builds on that, delivering practical, challenging and hands-on skills for young people seeking jobs in the construction industry.”

The funding will enable Productivity Bootcamp to deliver an additional 11 eight-week programs and one five-week program at its South Nowra centre over two years.

Productivity Bootcamp founder and director Paul Breen said the company has been delivering strong results in previous Bootcamps in Western Sydney since 2015.

“Our Bootcamp program provides a transformative 8-week intensive course that arms young people with the skills and attitude needed to be successful,” Mr Breen said.

“It helps young people develop the skills and attributes demanded by employers, such as reliability, communication and teamwork.”