Category: NSW News

A new fleet of Australian-designed ferries are set to hit the water in Western Sydney, with the NSW Government investing in new vessels to service commuters and visitors along the iconic Parramatta River to Sydney CBD route.

Tenders will open tomorrow for the local construction of seven new ferries to ensure superior transport infrastructure for the people of Greater Parramatta.

Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said the NSW Government was committed to boosting local manufacturing and encouraging local content as part of the State’s record $76.7 billion investment in transport infrastructure over the next four years.

“It is vital to our economy and the domestic market that we back Australian ingenuity, design and local manufacturing,” Mr Elliott said.

“These new state-of-the-art vessels will fly the flag for our Western Sydney commuters and deliver a first-class service to the thousands of commuters who use the ferry network each day to travel to and from work, school, or leisure activities.”

Mr Elliott said the seven new Parramatta River ferries, were designed in Australia by experienced local ship designer, Incat Crowther.

“I strongly support local manufacturing and am excited by the opportunity this tender will provide for local businesses to help deliver Australian-designed vessels for our world-class city,” Mr Elliott said.

“While we already have a record low unemployment rate in NSW, the more we can design and also build things right here in Australia, the more jobs and opportunities we will create for our community.”

Transport for NSW Chief Operations Officer Howard Collins said the new design would ensure the 200 person capacity was maintained, but vessels would be more fuel efficient than older models with improved seating and access for passengers.

“These vessels will make a trip along the Parramatta River not just one of the most iconic commutes in the world, but a must-do for visitors who come to our wonderful city,” Mr Collins said.

“These Parramatta River ferries will also be future-proofed for conversion to electric propulsion when the network infrastructure is ready.”

The seven new ferries will predominantly run the F3 Parramatta River route, replacing seven RiverCat vessels after 30 years of service.

To encourage bids from local ship builders of all sizes, tenderers will be able to submit proposals for each and/or multiple vessels (of the seven required).

Sydney’s new Pitt Street metro station is taking shape as work powers ahead on the NSW Government’s major transport project, Sydney Metro City and Southwest, ahead of services commencing in 2024.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the new metro line would provide commuters with turn-up-and-go services every four minutes in peak under the Sydney CBD.

“A transport transformation is taking place deep beneath the surface of Sydney’s CBD with construction on the new City and Southwest metro line rapidly progressing and the new Pitt Street station fast taking shape,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This new metro connection includes five new stations through the CBD alone, as well as an additional two new stations in the city’s north, connecting our city like never before.”

Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said the transformation of the new metro station was another example of how the Liberal and Nationals Government was delivering when it comes to major transport infrastructure.

“This brand-new station on Pitt Street is taking shape before our very eyes, and will soon become a central hub for public transport commuters in the heart of the CBD,” Mr Elliott said. 

“The extent of the modern infrastructure being built below our feet has to be seen to be believed. In 2024 commuters can look forward to jumping on metro services from Pitt Street that will take them to Barangaroo in four minutes, and North Sydney’s Victoria Cross, in seven minutes.”

Sydney Metro Chief Executive Peter Regan said the construction team was making significant headway on the station fit out, with escalator installation progressing, the southern station structure complete, and new platform screen doors already in place. 

“Sydneysiders would be amazed at the amount of work already underway at this new landmark station, there will be an easy interchange with other modes of transport and include new bike parking for commuters,” Mr Regan said. 

“When Pitt Street station opens in 2024, commuters will have access to two entrances on Park Street to the north and Bathurst Street to the south.”

Five of six escalators at the Pitt Street station south site are installed, with the final escalator on the south site to be installed by the end of the year. 

A further eight escalators will be installed on the Pitt Street station north site over coming months, and façade and fit out of the south station structure will continue into the new year. 

A total of 117 façade panels are being installed at the south site – weighing between 1.7 tonnes and 11 tonnes each.  

Sydney Metro is Australia’s biggest public transport project. By 2030, Sydney will have a network of four metro lines, 46 stations and 113km of new metro rail. 

The growing Rouse Hill community is set to benefit from a range of new health services, with the release of the Master Plan for the $300 million Rouse Hill Hospital.
 
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the new hospital on the corner of Commercial Road and Windsor Road Rouse Hill will include emergency services, inpatient and outpatient services that will be designed to take advantage of digital innovations in healthcare.
 
“The Master Plan released today for the Rouse Hill Hospital ensures communities in north western Sydney will have access to the very best health care much closer to home,” Mr Hazzard said.
 
“The new hospital will be specifically designed and built to embrace advanced digital technology and innovative models of care to bring world-class care right into the home.”
 
These innovative models include:

• One Health urgent and emergency care that means a co-located emergency department, urgent care centre and general practitioner services with access to pathology, pharmacy and medical imaging services
• One Health short stay care medical assessment services (up to 48 hours) for patients requiring further investigation, stabilization and direction to an appropriate care pathway
• InTouch Care which will provide digital healthcare connectivity across all settings including the hospital, the community and in the home
• Prehabiliation, Rehabilitation and Lifestyle Medicine which delivers therapy, education and interventions that support management of chronic conditions  and improving health outcomes.

Member for Riverstone Kevin Conolly said the selected site and Master Plan for the new hospital campus ensured convenient and easy access to hospital services for the community.

“The Master Plan for the new hospital shows the building’s location on the hospital campus and how it relates to parking zones, public transport, access roads and other retail and community services. It also identifies future clinical expansion zones,” Mr Conolly said.

“The design will also emphasise comfort and wellbeing in order to benefit patient recovery, with courtyards providing access to pleasant views, sunlight and fresh air.”

Member for Castle Hill Ray Williams said the State Significant Development Application (SSDA) has also been lodged.

“The SSDA will allow enabling works to start onsite such as installing road access and in-ground services including water, electricity and gas,” Mr Williams said.

“I look forward to seeing early works commence in early 2023 following the review and finalisation of the clinical services plan and planning approval.”

The new hospital will include:

• inTouchCare
• Urgent  and Emergency Care
• Day Surgery Unit
• Adult & Paediatric Short Stay
• Ambulatory & Outpatient Care which includes Women’s Health, Ante/Post Natal Care, Cancer Care, Renal Dialysis, Mental Health, Infusion Centre and Paediatrics
• Prehabilitation, Rehabilitation & Lifestyle Medicine Service
• Multi-storey car park

 
The new Rouse Hill Hospital will complement Blacktown and Mt Druitt Hospitals and Westmead Hospital to ensure comprehensive health care throughout the north west.  Western Sydney has benefited from the recent $700 million Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals Expansion Project which included a new emergency department, women’s and newborn health services, intensive care unit, operating theatres, and psychiatric emergency care service.
 
Western Sydney Local Health District will work in partnership with Health Infrastructure on the next phases of the project with the aim of commencing construction on the project in early 2023.
 
The NSW Government is investing a record $11.9 billion in health infrastructure over the 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.

Liberal Candidate for South Coast, Luke Sikora, welcomed the announcement of a major Hawken Road intersection, which will feature a grade-separated overpass, as part of the $500 million joint-funded Jervis Bay to Sussex Inlet Road Princes Highway upgrade.
 
Mr Sikora said the overpass will allow traffic access to the highway in both directions and improve connectivity to the surrounding local villages, as well as the safety of people using this road.
 
“I was originally inspired to get involved in politics when two of my school friends died in a car crash – and making these roads safer is one of the most important things I can do for our community.”
 
Member for South Coast, Shelley Hancock, said the Perrottet Government has been getting on with the job of delivering important infrastructure upgrades, but it requires a strong local advocate to ensure that the local focus can be maintained.
 
“Since 2011, our Government has committed $5.15 billion to deliver upgrades to the Princes Highway to ensure the road is safer for motorists, to improve traffic and freight efficiency, and importantly to improve connectivity to our coastal towns and villages.
 
“As part of the $500 million upgrade between Jervis Bay Road and Sussex Inlet Road Princes Highway upgrade, a new intersection will be delivered at Hawken Road, Tomerong featuring an overpass, improving safety and allowing east-west movements between Hawken Road and Blackbutt Range Road.
 
“Along with the duplication of the six-kilometre stretch of the Princes Highway between Jervis Bay Road and Hawken Road, this new intersection will provide safer journeys and better support local traffic, tourism, and freight movements,” Mrs Hancock said.
 
“The upgraded section of highway will also connect with the new Jervis Bay Road intersection, which is on track for early work to start later this year.”
 
Luke Sikora said it is essential that the community continues to be informed and consulted.
 
“I encourage our community to get involved in this project, and have a say as design progresses on the Hawken Road intersection, including work to identify the preferred corridor and access points for local roads and private properties,” said Mr Sikora. “I am pleased Transport for NSW will be meeting with residents at Tomerong next month to ensure they are consulted every step of the way.”
 
“If elected, I commit to the delivery a safer Princes Highway along the entirety of the south coast, ensuring safer trips for local residents and motorists,” Mr Sikora said.

One of Ryde’s premier sporting facilities, the University Oval at Macquarie Park, is getting a five million dollar funding boost.

Liberal Candidate for Ryde, Jordan Lane, said the Perrottet Government’s multi-sport community facility fund is helping local communities get amenities that help make sport more accessible and enjoyable.

“The Ryde community absolutely loves sport – whether playing or supporting – and our aspiring world cup champions and Brownlow winners will benefit greatly from this investment in our local facilities,” Mr Lane said.

“Sports keep people healthy, active and socially connected, and this funding will make the University Oval one of the best places for footy in Sydney. This funding will modernise University Oval, upgrading the playing surface, change rooms, lighting, community areas and match day amenities.”

Member for Ryde, Victor Dominello, said the project will receive $5 million from the NSW Government’s Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund, to upgrade amenities and enable the ground to host elite women’s AFL matches.

“Sport is part of the fabric of our community and the NSW Government has a strong track record of investing in community sporting infrastructure to deliver modern, accessible facilities,” Mr Dominello said.

“The upgrade will be a huge coup for local footballers and also enable University Oval to host AFLW night games.”

The Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund provides grants between $1 million and $5 million for new or upgraded sport facilities.

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the program prioritises projects that provide inclusive and accessible facilities that enable more people to play sport.

“These projects will not only provide more opportunities for people to play sport, but they will also generate a local sports facility infrastructure boom, creating jobs and delivering an economic boost for the community,” Mr Henskens said.

“This multi-million Government investment is delivering game-changing projects that promote participation and secure a brighter future for local communities across NSW.

NSW businesses seeking to commercialise their innovative ideas can now help tackle some of the State’s most complex challenges through the second round of the NSW Government’s Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) program.
 
As part of the program, NSW Government agencies outline specific problem areas that need to be addressed, with small business given the opportunity to propose solutions.
 
Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology Alister Henskens said the $12 million program would provide small businesses with grants of up to $100,000 as part of the first phase, to work alongside government and undertake feasibility studies into their proposed solutions.
 
“This program is about leveraging our incredible local businesses to improve social, environmental, health and economic outcomes while also creating high-value jobs, which will help grow the economy and secure a brighter future for NSW,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“The SBIR program has already seen 10 exciting new technologies, addressing a wide range of issues, progress to a proof-of-concept phase. This next round of the program will deliver more solutions and outcomes for our community.”
 
Challenge areas outlined for round two of the program include:
 

• Biosecurity Surveillance Challenge – NSW Department of Primary Industries is seeking innovative technology solutions that leverage the power of citizen surveillance to more accurately identify and validate threats to the biosecurity of primary industries and the environment in NSW.
• School Zones Alerting System Challenge – Transport for NSW is seeking innovative solutions to improve the existing School Zones Alerting System to further improve road safety around schools.
• Vital Sign Monitoring Challenge – Corrective Services NSW is seeking non-invasive technology solutions to monitor the vital health signs of inmates while in their cells. This technology will be used to monitor ‘at-risk’ inmates and help prevent inmates committing self-harm, which could result in suicide.
• Recycled Content Verification Challenge – The Office of Energy and Climate Change is seeking a solution that could trace and verify recycled material to help NSW Government agencies procure local recycled products.
• Waste Recovery and Management Challenge – NSW Health is seeking resource recovery technologies and waste management solutions that: offer an innovative design for new facilities; redesign and reconfigure existing facilities; and uncover ways of modernising our waste collection and processing systems separation and collection of waste that can be implemented across NSW Health.
• Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Services Challenge – NSW Health is seeking Artificial Intelligence powered solutions to support the delivery of health services to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities. 
• Urban Heat Island Challenge – the Greater Cities Commission is seeking innovative solutions that could be trialled at the Westmead Health and Innovation District to mitigate urban heat island effects and/or improve the resilience of our systems in response to extreme heat events.

 
Minister for Small Business Victor Dominello said the program is harnessing the power of local innovation and supporting small businesses by investing in ideas to grow high-tech industries now and into the future. 
 
“Small businesses are a vital pillar of our economy, and this funding will help many SMEs to realise their potential and make the difficult leap from great ideas to commercial products and services that meet critical needs,” Mr Dominello said. 
 
Proof-of-concept grants will be available to businesses that complete a successful feasibility study. Full details of the program and how to apply can be found online.

A $7.9 million investment will help the dairy industry recover and rebuild from floods, and better prepare for future natural disasters.
 
The Dairy Sector Recovery Strategy will help the dairy industry recuperate and build long-term resilience after the February-March flooding event earlier this year.
 
Funding provided from the jointly Commonwealth and NSW Government-funded Storm and Flood Industry Recovery Program (Sector Recovery and Resilience Grants) under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and $1.6 million from industry co-contributions will help the sector get back on its’ feet.
 
The funding will deliver 12 projects across three working packages focusing on:

• Better Response and Short-Term Recovery
• Better Preparedness, Lower Risk and Improved Resilience
• Supporting Industry Development

For more information about the Dairy Strategy for Sector Recovery Program, please visit: www.nsw.gov.au/regional-nsw/regional-recovery-programs/storm-and-flood-recovery/sector-recovery-and-resilience-grant

More students than ever before are set for a cooler summer as the rollout of the first dedicated school air-conditioning program continues to deliver for public schools across NSW. 
 
The $500 million Cooler Classrooms Program, which began in 2018, is being rolled out to 1,000 NSW public schools and prioritising those in the hottest parts of the state. 
 
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell joined Member for Holsworthy Melanie Gibbons at Lurnea High School, which was added to the program earlier this year. 
 
Ms Mitchell said the five-year program has prioritised some of our hottest schools, improving the learning environments for both students and teachers. 
 
“So far through our Cooler Classroom Program we’ve delivered air-conditioning to more than 7,100 learning spaces and 460 libraries,” Ms Mitchell said.  
 
“We know how important it is to provide students with a comfortable learning environment and this investment has seen works completed at more than 570 schools, with another 420 underway.” 
 
Ms Gibbons said this ensures that students in Lurnea, and right across NSW, are benefitting from this investment.
 
“Students at Lurnea High School students will soon have to access to more comfortable learning spaces in the summer and winter. 
 
“It’s all thanks to the Liberals and Nationals in government, investing in every aspect of our public schools. From fresh paint jobs to air-conditioning and security fencing to accessibility works, this government understands the importance of maintaining and upgrading our schools.” 
 
The program also improves the air quality of indoor spaces and libraries with “smart systems” that offer heating, cooling and the provision of outside fresh air to ensure adequate ventilation at all times.  
 
Where feasible, solar PV systems and battery storage technology is being installed to offset energy usage. More than 210 systems have been installed with a further 460 underway. 
 
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. This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW. 

Documents reveal executive positions within the Education Department has ballooned from 305 in 2019 to 354 in 2022 – a 16 per cent increase in the last 3 years, at the same time as they are unable and unwilling to deal with the teacher shortage crisis and teacher pay.  
 
The number of executive directors increased from 34 to 58 in the span of three years, while there has been an additional Deputy Secretary added since 2019. The midpoint salary of an Executive Director is $324,250 while the midpoint for a Deputy secretary is $435,275.
 
The ballooning bureaucratic team contrasts with Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell and her department’s teacher recruitment program. The number of teachers in schools grew just five per cent, from 66,801 to 70,279.
 
In September 2021 the NSW Government promised under their Recruitment Beyond NSW that “460 teachers will be recruited between 2022-23”.
 
However as of Term Four 2022, only three teachers had successfully been recruited.
 
As at 10 October 2022 (start of Term 4, 2022) there were 2,458.70 FTE vacant permanent teaching positions.
 
In Parliament, the Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell defended the program saying: “The reality is that this is a good program.” 
 
In fact, Sarah Mitchell even tried to refute her own Government’s data saying: “For Labor to use these to claim that there is some kind of shortage of thousands and thousands of teachers is just not true. The data doesn’t stack up”
 
Well, as they teach you in school, the numbers don’t lie.
 
Only 27 teachers have been hired across all 2,216 public schools under the entire Teacher Supply Strategy. We now also know that:

• 20 of these are existing teachers in the FASTstream program, a program which includes reducing teachers to a part-time teaching load while putting them on a pathway to become principals.
• The remaining 7 are casual teachers working under the Casual Supplementation Program – a program that is meant to provide 260 remote, regional and rural NSW schools with a “dedicated local pool of relief teachers”.
• Minister Mitchell also refused to confirm if any of the teachers hired has a maths speciality, despite the current shortage of maths teachers.

NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns:
 
“This is just proof that after 12 years in power the Perrottet Government has run out of ideas on how to fix the teacher shortages.”
 
“The Perrottet Government has been great at recruiting department staff, and abysmal at getting teachers into classrooms.”

NSW Labor has a plan for a better NSW education system for a better future for our kids.

 “Labor will stop the class cancellations by making 10,000 existing casual teachers permanent to give them the security of job they are asking for to stay in teaching.”And we’ll reduce the admin burden of teachers by 5 hours a week to ensure teachers are in classrooms not bogged down by paperwork.”

NSW Deputy Labor Leader and Shadow Minister for Education Prue Car:
 
“The results speak for themselves – this tired  12-year-old government has become internally focused and lost sight of the severity of the teacher shortages”
 
“Every day across NSW classes are being merged or cancelled and children are sitting on playgrounds instead of learning maths or English – yet Minister Mitchell and her bureaucratic team continue to oversee an exodus of teachers from classrooms.”
 

Liberal candidate for Ryde, Jordan Lane, welcomed the Perrottet Government’s announcement of a new high school and primary school for Macquarie Park. Jordan said that the local area has been experiencing rapid growth, and a lot of effort is required to ensure that services and infrastructure keep up.

“As Ryde grows, local families need more amenities, green spaces and school spaces,” said Mayor Lane. “We are incredibly fortunate to have had a strong local representative in Victor  Dominello, who’s been able to recognise what our community needs and deliver it.”

“The Perrottet Government has recognised this community’s need, and has committed to delivering the Macquarie Park Education Campus, providing a new K-12 school in the growing area.”

The Liberal Member for Ryde, Victor Dominello, said the school developments in Macquarie Park would further transform Ryde into an education and employment powerhouse.

“We want to broaden the options for educational facilities so that the schools can be located in the optimal place to meet student demand,” Mr Dominello said.

“There is also tremendous opportunity for these schools to support their surrounding communities and to be part of a diverse mix of cultural, health and community facilities along with developments for commercial and residential use,” 

“The need for this education campus is all the more pronounced given the former Labor Government closed Peter Board High School and sold the land.” 

The Department of Education is partnering with Landcom to build the two schools as the Lachlan Line site offers the best location to:

• meet population growth demand in Macquarie Park
• cater for forecasted student enrolment to 2036
• take advantage of strong public transport links.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said that the development of the Macquarie Park Education Campus is a priority for the NSW Government.

“Development of the campus will also provide opportunities for the government to partner with the private sector to drive the transformation of Macquarie Park, creating new jobs and investment opportunities for business, innovation, research and education,” Ms Mitchell said. 

“The NSW Government continues to invest in public education infrastructure with 118 new and upgraded schools under way, including the new Macquarie Park Education Campus.” 

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. This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.