Category: NSW News

The NSW Government is inviting leading infrastructure organisations to help shape and build the next stage of one of the State’s major transport projects, Parramatta Light Rail.

Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said it was very encouraging to see industry experts from not only across Australia but internationally, register their interest to be part of the procurement process for the delivery of such a transformative infrastructure project.

“We’ve seen strong interest from industry leaders excited to design and construct the first phase of Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2, the new 320-metre-long public and active transport bridge over the Parramatta River between Wentworth Point and Melrose Park,” Mr Elliott said.

“Many of those shortlisted industry organisations will now be invited to participate in the Expressions of Interest (EOI) process for the enabling works package, which includes the delivery of the bridge and approaches on either side of the river – totalling 1.3 kilometres, with construction expected to start in 2024, subject to planning approvals.”

Member for Parramatta Mr Geoff Lee said this was a fantastic opportunity to be part of this Western Sydney mega transport project which will link Stage 1 of the light rail and Parramatta’s CBD to Sydney Olympic Park.

“When completed, the new bridge will be the first significant crossing over the Parramatta River since 1987 and will provide essential public transport access for the growing communities north and south of the river and onto Sydney Olympic Park,” Mr Lee said.

The Environmental Impact Statement received more than 125 submissions late last year, the team engaged with more than 850 people and over 2500 people visited the virtual engagement room. A submissions report is currently being prepared and will be released later this year. The Expressions of Interest process will close on Tuesday 14 March 2023. More information about the project is available here.

Families are being reminded to download their new Active Kids voucher and save $100 per child on sport and recreation activities.

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said a new Active Kids voucher became available on 1 January and would help ease pressure on family budgets.

“It might be the middle of summer, but winter sport registration is heating up and now is the perfect time for families to turn their attention to their new Active Kids voucher,” Mr Henskens said.

“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s Active Kids program has turbocharged sporting participation across NSW, with more than 4.85 million vouchers redeemed, saving families $481 million.

“It’s the largest grassroots sport funding initiative in the nation and is driving enormous increases in participation across all sports.”

The NSW Government recently extended the Active Kids voucher program to include school holiday sports and recreation activities.

The expansion of the program has contributed to a 40 per cent increase in voucher creation compared to the same period last year.

“NSW Labor wanted to cancel one Active Kids voucher per child at the last election, and Chris Minns endorsed this policy as a member of the Shadow Cabinet,” Mr Henskens said.

“It’s clear that NSW families have embraced the Liberal and Nationals Government’s Active Kids program and its expansion to include school holiday programs has been a hit.”

Families can access their child’s Active Kids voucher via the Service NSW app or website, attending a Service NSW Centre or by calling Service NSW on 13 77 88.

For further information on the Active Kids Program, visit www.sport.nsw.gov.au/active-kids.

Flood evacuation routes near Richmond will be upgraded as part of a $1 billion Liberal and Nationals Government investment through WestInvest, targeting Western Sydney roads.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said $15 million has been allocated to upgrade the intersection of The Driftway and Londonderry Road to deliver a new roundabout and an extra lane.

“After unprecedented rain and consecutive flooding events across Western Sydney, it is more important than ever that we provide the infrastructure needed to protect communities and ensure they have safe evacuation routes,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This important upgrade will boost capacity on this important evacuation route and support the new Richmond Bridge, which has been designed with increased flood resilience.”

Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said early works will begin shortly, ahead of major construction next year.

“We want to give the community the assurance that if the last two flood events were to occur again, they would not be cut off from the services they need,” Mrs Ward said.

“As well as improving flood resilience, the two projects will ensure double traffic capacity across the Hawkesbury River and reduce travel times.”

Other road projects already announced include:

· $200 million for safety improvements on Elizabeth Drive at critical sections between Devonshire Rd and Western Road, Kemps Creek;

· $100 million to construct the Pitt Town bypass which has been identified as a crucial project following recent flooding events in the Hawkesbury-Nepean valley;

· $100 million to enable the upgrade of a 3.4 kilometre section of Garfield Road East between Piccadilly Street, Riverstone and Windsor Road, Box Hill.

For more information, go to https://nswroads.work/NewRichmondBridge.

Thousands of students across NSW will benefit from more catch up classes this coming school year thanks to a $253 million funding boost from the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the pioneering small group tutoring initiative, started following COVID lockdowns to support school students who fell behind, is being extended to supercharge student learning as education moves beyond the pandemic.

“Making sure every student has the best possible start in life is a priority for the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government, and small group tutoring has been an important part of student growth these last two years,” said Mr Perrottet.

“This program has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s a no-brainer to boost the funding for this coming school year, so thousands more students continue to benefit.”

A recent evaluation of the Intensive Learning Support Program (ILSP) looked at the impact of the initiative on student learning and engagement from the teachers’ perspective. It showed student confidence and engagement improved by 80 per cent, and students’ motivation and attitude towards school had improved by 77 per cent and 69 per cent respectively. 

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government was seeing benefits for students and early career teachers. 

“We are seeing students’ confidence and classroom engagement improve thanks to the support they’re receiving. At the same time, hundreds of pre-service teachers are gaining invaluable hands-on experience that will only strengthen their teaching over the long term,” Ms Mitchell said. 

“It’s fantastic that students across all school sectors in NSW will continue to benefit from this scheme, thanks to the long-term economic plan of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government.”

A wider evaluation of the program, including academic outcomes of students involved, will be completed by mid-2023 and will inform the approach to embedding small group tuition as part of the school system beyond 2023.

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government invested more than $700 million in catch up classes for students in 2021 and 2022. Schools have already been provided $80 million in tutoring funding for the start of 2023, which will now be supplemented by a further $173 million.

NSW drivers can now voluntarily choose to offset their vehicle’s carbon emissions each year when they register their car.

Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean said many Australians were looking for practical ways to take action on climate change and the new scheme would give people more opportunities to reduce their carbon footprint.

“NSW is the first state to offer this option, with all money going directly into Australian carbon offset projects. No international credits will be purchased,” Mr Kean said.

Contributions from the scheme will be used to purchase Australian Carbon Credit Units that fund activities which reduce or offset CO₂ emissions in Australia, helping NSW reach its targets of 70 per cent emissions reduction by 2035 and net zero by 2050.

“The option is voluntary, and participants can choose to offset any amount between $5 and $200 when they register their vehicle online.

“The average car generates about 2.4 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year, which can be fully offset by purchasing $80 of carbon offsets at the point of registration. 

“The transport sector is responsible for about 22 per cent of all NSW emissions, with almost 50 per cent coming from passenger vehicles. More and more NSW drivers are opting for electric vehicles (EVs) each year, however this scheme gives those drivers who haven’t made the switch yet the option to offset their emissions instead,” Mr Kean said.

The scheme is one part of the NSW Government’s comprehensive zero emissions transport strategy, which includes:

· $209 million for EV charging infrastructure

· No stamp duty on EVs under $78,000

· $3,000 rebates for EVs under $68,750

· Transitioning the State’s entire 8,000 plus bus fleet to zero emissions

· Allowing EVs to drive in transit lanes

Corporate Carbon Advisory (CCA) Pty Ltd has been appointed as the offset provider partner. Projects directly supported under this scheme will include regeneration projects across NSW such as the Longdowns Forest Regeneration project in Bourke and Brewarrina Shires.

All projects are fully trackable through their registration under the Clean Energy Regulator’s Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) project register. All carbon credits purchased under this scheme will be immediately retired to ensure their offset benefits are realised at once.

More information on the scheme is located here and at Service NSW .

Sixteen projects capable of powering the equivalent of almost 1.6 million homes have been shortlisted under the inaugural tender of the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.

Competitive bids for more than 4.3GW of generation and long duration storage will now be assessed by AEMO Services for their potential to deliver long-term financial value for NSW households and businesses.

Treasurer and Energy Minister Matt Kean said there has been overwhelming investor interest in the roadmap.

“This is a promising start to the $32 billion in private capital we expect to see through our 10-year schedule of rolling competitive tenders,” Mr Kean said.

“The state’s nation-leading roadmap will ensure that NSW households and businesses have clean, reliable and more affordable electricity for decades to come.”

Once the projects are assessed, successful applicants will be awarded long-term energy service agreements that will underpin the modernisation of the state’s electricity system.

Shortlisted projects have until February 10 to submit their financial value bids.

The NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap is the NSW Government’s plan to transform the electricity system, by building at least 12GW of renewable energy and 2GW of long duration storage like pumped hydro by 2030.

A re-elected NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will deliver a new high school in Jordan Springs to support the growing local community, with work on the project to commence in the next term of government.

Premier Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell were on site today at Jordan Springs Public School to announce the commitment to the new high school, coinciding with completion of Stage 2 of the primary school ahead of students returning next week.

Mr Perrottet said only a NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has the track record to deliver this vital infrastructure for communities across Western Sydney.

“We know how important it is to provide local families with great schools and thanks to our long-term economic plan, we’re able to build on our investment in Jordan Springs Public School by committing to a new high school in this growing community,” said Mr Perrottet.

“Our track record speaks for itself with billions of dollars invested in major projects across Western Sydney. This new high school will provide students with access to a world class education right here in their community.”

Ms Mitchell said local families can trust the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government to deliver this project.

“Only a Liberal and Nationals Government can ensure this project is delivered for the local community. This government has invested more than $167 million in Londonderry, including the new Jordan Springs Public School, and it is this government that will deliver a new high school,” said Ms Mitchell.

“The school community should be excited for school to start next week with these amazing upgraded facilities at Jordan Springs Public School, and this is just one of the many schools we are delivering this term,”

“Since 2011, we have delivered 60 major projects across Western Sydney with another 50 underway and we will continue to invest in growing communities right across the state.”

The NSW Government is investing $8.6 billion in school infrastructure over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 160 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This builds on the more than $9.1 billion invested in projects delivered since 2017, a program of $17.7 billion in public education infrastructure.

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is pushing ahead with a $3 billion commitment to transition its bus and coach fleet to zero emission technology, with a new trial set to begin across regional NSW.

The Expression of Interest (EOI) process is now open for bus and coach operators to participate in the $25 million Regional Zero Emission Bus Trials.

Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean said zero emission bus technology is a key part of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government goal of reaching net zero by 2050.

“The transition of our bus fleet will have widespread benefits including improving air quality, noise reduction, a smoother trip for commuters and creating jobs right across NSW,” Mr Kean said.

“Hydrogen is one of the many ways forward in the heavy transport sector and this will ensure investment in clean technology, grow the economy and support regional jobs.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the trials present a great opportunity to partner with transport operators in regional areas to deliver new and more energy efficient transport options.

“We are about to kick off our first hydrogen bus trial on the Central Coast to better understand how the technology compares to battery electric buses and this trial will determine the most suitable technology to deliver the best services for our regional and rural communities,” Mr Farraway said. 

“We’re always looking at new ways to improve our bus network and services across regional NSW.

“We’ve now delivered more than 3,000 additional bus services under our 16 Regional Cities Services Improvement Program, making it easier and more reliable for communities to travel to work, school, visit friends and family and get to medical appointments and essential services.”

The expression of interest for the Regional Zero Emission Bus Trials is available by visiting https://www.tenders.nsw.gov.au/ and will remain open until 2 March 2023.

The NSW Government has appointed a consortium including one of Australia’s leading community housing providers, Bridge Housing, and national infrastructure developer Capella Capital, to deliver the $230 million renewal of Elizabeth Street, Redfern.

Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said the development will see around 300 new homes built, including over 100 social housing dwellings and a new 3,500 square metre community facility.

“We’re transforming Sydney’s inner city to deliver multiple benefits to the local community, including much-needed new housing close to jobs, public transport and open space,” Mr Roberts said.

“Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) is proud to be partnering with Bridge Housing and Capella Capital on this project, demonstrating the NSW Government’s commitment to working with the community housing sector to leverage private capital and expertise that delivers a diverse mix of housing and benefits for the Redfern-Waterloo community.”

The proposed development is located opposite Redfern Oval, walking distance to multiple train stations, and will feature a modern design and high-quality features, in line with the evolving look, feel and culture of the local area.

Minister for Families and Communities, and Minister for Disability Services, Natasha Maclaren-Jones said in addition to more than 100 social homes, the project proposes a mix of housing including affordable homes, homes for key workers, disability support units and private homes.

“The new social homes to be delivered at Redfern will be used to accommodate local relocations from the planned renewal of the Waterloo Estate, supporting greater connection to Country for Aboriginal residents and the broader community,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.

Bridge Housing CEO, Rebecca Pinkstone, said they were delighted to have been selected to bring the project to life as the project developer in collaboration with Capella Capital.

“The development will become a blueprint for how the community housing sector, working in partnership with government, institutional investors, commercial lenders and the private sector, can deliver social and affordable housing at scale,” Ms Pinkstone said.

“With thirty years’ experience in the delivery of quality housing and services, Bridge Housing is uniquely positioned to deliver affordable housing designed for the local community. The development will provide a template for how large-scale development can be undertaken to support a diverse and vibrant city.”

Construction is expected to begin in 2025, and will create over 700 jobs during the project, subject to planning approval.

For more information, please visit: www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/land-and-housing-corporation/greater-sydney/redfern

Staff and patients in NSW public hospitals are set to benefit from a major workforce boost with almost 1,100 medical graduate interns starting work in city and country hospitals this week – more than any other state or territory in Australia.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor extended a warm welcome to the class of 2023, the biggest intake of medical graduate interns ever in NSW.

Minister Hazzard said the new medical graduates were ready to launch rewarding careers in health, working with and learning from NSW’s experienced and highly skilled medical staff in hospitals across the state.

“These new doctors have chosen a very rewarding career path and during their internships will build their skills and gain diverse experience across a range of medical specialties in metropolitan, rural and regional areas,” Mr Hazzard said.

“They will also be a tremendous boost to their colleagues already in the hospitals – our dedicated health staff who have performed remarkably during a very challenging three years.

“The NSW Government is continuing to invest in building the state’s health workforce so that communities continue to receive world-class healthcare in public hospitals in our cities and rural and regional areas.”

Minister Taylor said the new medical graduates will be welcomed with open arms to our rural and regional hospitals, with almost one third or 396 of the positions in the bush.

“The NSW Nationals and Liberals in Government are committed to strengthening our regional health workforce, and ensuring the people of rural and regional NSW continue to have access to the high-quality healthcare they need and deserve,” Mrs Taylor said.

“Interns seeking to complete their internship in our regions were able to apply through the Rural Preferential Recruitment pathway and, this year, 176 Rural Preferential intern positions were available – an increase of 13 positions from 2022.”

Interns are medical graduates who have completed their medical degree and are required to complete a supervised year of practice in order to become independent practitioners.

The new doctors starting their internship will be entering a training program with networked hospitals throughout the state, providing formal and on-the-job training.

They receive two-year contracts to rotate between metropolitan, regional and rural hospitals to ensure the diversity of their experience. They also rotate across different specialties during the intern year, including surgery, medicine and emergency medicine.

The NSW Government is investing a record $33 billion in health as part of the 2022 – 23 NSW Budget. The NSW Government has also announced the largest workforce boost in the nation’s history with a $4.5 billion investment over four years for 10,148 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff to hospitals and health services across NSW.