Category: NSW News

High-achieving teachers in Parramatta will be some of the first to earn salaries of up to $152,000, thanks to a $100 million commitment from the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government.

Local teachers will be among 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.

The Parramatta school with teachers involved in the first phase is Parramatta Public School.

Liberal candidate for Parramatta Katie Mullens welcomed the announcement and said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government was future-proofing education by attracting the best teachers to 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,” Ms Mullen 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.”

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 

“This is another great example of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s long-term economic plan delivering for teachers, students, and families across Parramatta and NSW,” Ms Mullens said.

Eastern Beaches Liberal candidates have welcomed the commitment by the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government to inject $23 million in to Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW), the biggest investment in the organisation in its 116-year history.

Candidate for Coogee Dr Kylie von Muenster and Vaucluse Kellie Sloane said the funding will significantly enhance SLSNSW’s capability with new rescue vehicles, jet skis and more.

“The volunteer lifesavers across the Eastern Beaches do an incredible job keeping our community safe and that’s why investments like this are so important,” Dr von Muenster said.

Ms Sloane said, “It’s only from the Perrottet Liberal Team’s strong economic record and plan for the future that such vital funding can be delivered to our lifesavers. They play a vital role in the community and we support them completely.”

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 NSW Government support for our thousands of volunteers and 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 NSW coastline;
• Additional emergency management staff permanently based in Regional NSW;
• Radio communications upgrades on the Far South Coast, South Coast, North Coast and Mid North Coast; 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.

Community sport organisations across The Entrance are set to benefit from more than $45,000 in funding thanks to the NSW Government’s Local Sport Grants Program.

Liberal candidate for The Entrance Nathan Bracken welcomed the announcement and said the 10 projects funded across the area 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. They are the life-blood of our communities and key to ensuring our kids live a healthy and happy lifestyle,” Mr Bracken said.

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 include:

• Berkeley Vale Rugby League & Sports Club
• EDSACC Croquet Club Inc
• Killarney Vale Australian Football Club Inc
• Lisarow Ourimbah Cricket Club
• Mingara Killarney District Netball Club
• Razorbacks Rugby Club
• The Entrance Bateau Bay Australian Football Club
• The Entrance Cricket Club
• The Entrance Hockey Club Inc

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.

Young drivers in regional NSW will be given a cash incentive to help them buy a newer, safer vehicle under a state-first program by the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government.

The new Safer Cars for Country Kids program will provide a $5000 subsidy for up to 1,000 young drivers to help them purchase a safer car.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said this program would help save lives in the bush by getting younger people into safer cars.

“We will get old and unsafe cars off our country roads and make it easier for young drivers to get behind the wheel of a safer car,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This is extra incentive for kids in the bush to ditch their old cars and upgrade to a more modern vehicle with better safety features.

“Young drivers in regional areas clock up the miles, and this is one way we can lower the risk of country kids being seriously injured or losing their life in car accidents.”

Deputy Premier, Minister for Regional NSW and Minister for Police Paul Toole said the initiative recognised that young drivers are much more likely to inherit the old family car, or buy an older, cheaper or less safe vehicle as their first car.

“Every parent wants to know their kids are in the safest possible car when they head off down the road, especially in the regions where they are driving longer distances and dealing with additional challenges like dust and roos,” Mr Toole said.

“This landmark trial will provide a helping hand to young drivers to buy a safer set of wheels – and give their families greater confidence in their safety every time they’re on the road.” 

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will first trial up to 50 young people in selected areas, before rolling out in phases to all regional areas across the state. 

“If we want young people to really benefit from this program then we have to get it right, and this trial will provide us feedback on what works and what doesn’t,” Mr Farraway said.

“If you’re under the age of 25, drive a car with a used car safety rating of 1 or 2 stars, or is unrated and over 16-years-old, you may be eligible to participate in the program and upgrade to a safer vehicle.

“Having good and effective programs that help our next generation of road users such as Safer Cars for Country Kids, will help to keep our great state moving forward.”

Peter Frazer OAM, President of Safer Australian Roads and Highways, supports the initiative. 

“Too many novice drivers in our regional communities are killed or seriously injured simply because their vehicles are not as safe as they could be,” Mr Frazer said.

“Providing support to those who are most at risk will allow them to upgrade their cars to safer ones. This initiative will help save lives.”

Driver education specialist Matthew Irvine said staying safe on the road presents extra challenges for young people living in the country.

“People living in regional NSW usually spend more time on the road, driving longer distances and at higher speeds. Programs such as the one announced today will definitely help keep our young people safe on the roads,” Mr Irvine said.

“Research shows newer vehicles equipped with advanced active and passive safety technology are far less likely to be involved in a fatal crash.

“As someone who educates young drivers, today’s announcement is a big positive and a step in the right direction to saving more lives on our roads.”

The average age of vehicles in NSW is 10 years, and it takes longer for newer cars with better safety technology to filter out to younger drivers, especially those in regional areas.

Electronic Stability Control and advanced safety features such as, autonomous emergency braking or Lane Keeping System technologies have proven to reduce crashes.

More information on eligibility is available here

The South Coast and Bega Liberal candidates have welcomed the commitment by the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government to inject $23 million into Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW), the biggest investment in the organisation in its 116-year history.

Candidate for South Coast Luke Sikora and Bega Russell Fitzpatrick said the funding will significantly enhance SLSNSW’s capability with new rescue vehicles, jet skis and more.

“This is an incredibly important funding commitment from the Perrottet Liberal Team. It supports volunteer lifesavers who put themselves in harm’s way to protect our beaches and keep them safe,” Mr Sikora said.

Mr Fitzpatrick said, “The Perrottet Government’s plan for the future includes supporting frontline services. That is only possible from their strong economic record which allows significant funding like this to be injected into Surf Life Saving NSW to assist the volunteer lifesavers.”

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 NSW Government support for our thousands of volunteers and 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 NSW coastline;
• Additional emergency management staff permanently based in Regional NSW;
• Radio communications upgrades on the Far South Coast, South Coast, North Coast and Mid North Coast; 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.

Narrabeen Beach Surf Lifesaving Club will receive a new life-saving device after the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government awarded more than $500,000 through the Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program.

Candidate for Pittwater, Rory Amon, welcomed the announcement and said the grant covered the full cost of the equipment, enabling more sporting organisations to benefit from the program.

“This new life-saving device will have a big part to play in keeping our volunteer surf lifesavers and local beach-goers safe,” Mr Amon said.

“With more and more people of all ages attending our beautiful local beaches     , this funding will be put to good use to respond to life-threatening      emergencies around Narrabeen Beach.”

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said there was record demand for the devices in the latest round of the program.

“Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time and we want the same number of players that start a game to finish it,” Mr Henskens said.

“This NSW Liberal and Nationals Government program provides sports with early access to a defibrillator and ensures they are better-equipped to respond to life-threatening      emergencies.”

For further information on the Local Sports Defibrillator Program, visit www.sport.nsw.gov.au.

NSW will be the first state in Australia to allow pharmacists to renew prescriptions for the contraceptive pill as part of a fast-tracked plan to make it easier for people to access important medications and treatments.

Under a re-elected NSW Liberal and Nationals Government it will be more convenient and cheaper for women to visit their pharmacist with consultations related to the contraceptive pill and UTI treatments to be free for a 12 month trial period.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said this pharmacy plan would transform healthcare with people able to book online to see a pharmacist or simply walk into their local pharmacy and get the care they need.

“This is about making it easier and quicker for people, particularly women, to access important prescription medications and treatments,” Mr Perrottet said.

“It’s harder than ever to get into a GP and that’s why these changes will make a real difference to people who need to access a range of prescriptions and treatments.

“It’s clear changes are needed at the federal level to help our GPs but NSW is not going to sit back and wait, instead we’re fast-tracking these important reforms to give people the care they need now.”

Under our pharmacy plan, the NSW Liberal and Nationals will:

• Cover the cost of the patient consultation fee for the treatment of UTI and the contraceptive pill;
• Commence the prescribing trial for the treatment of UTI’s on 1 April 2023; and
• Accelerate the commencement of the trial for the renewal of oral contraceptive pill prescriptions to 1 July 2023 and allow pharmacists to extend an original script issued by a GP or nurse practitioner in the past 2 years.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said many pharmacists already help women in need of emergency contraception, so extending the scope of what they can prescribe enhances their role in providing this care.

“The community pharmacist has an important role to play in providing healthcare and allowing them to do more will benefit patients and help ease the pressure on other healthcare providers, including GPs and hospitals,” Mr Hazzard said.

Minister for Women, Regional Health and Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the trial will make a huge difference to women across the State, particularly those living in rural and regional NSW.

“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has heard loud and clear that the process of getting a script for your UTI or your birth control pill needs to be made simpler,” Mrs Taylor said.

“We know that the GP shortages in the bush are blowing out appointment wait times to days and even weeks. This reform will ease the pressure on primary care and ensure women are able to get the help they need, when they need it.”

NSW Health will work with participating pharmacists who will be required to undertake additional training for these specific conditions to ensure safe prescribing practices.

The NSW Government has partnered with the University of Newcastle to design and implement the clinical trial.

Data gathered from the clinical trial will be used to inform any future changes to the role of pharmacists in the healthcare system.

Under the NSW Government’s pharmacy reforms, residents of NSW have also been able to access additional vaccinations from pharmacists since November 2022.

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