Category: NSW News

The Premier today announced five days of free travel on the train network across NSW next week to ensure commuters are not inconvenienced by planned industrial action by the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU). 

The RTBU has agreed to stop the planned industrial action next week, which would have led to the union refusing to operate more than 70 per cent of trains across the network. 

Travel will be free on Sydney Trains, NSW Trainlink and Sydney Metro networks from 12.01am Monday 21 November 2022 to 11.59pm Friday 25 November 2022 and commuters will be asked to continue to tap on and off, but will not be charged. 

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the decision was made because commuters have to come first. 

“People need to get to work, go to school and go about their normal day without being disrupted by union strike action, Mr Perrottet said. 

“I’ve taken this action to put Sydney commuters ahead of union disruption and make sure businesses across our city don’t take a financial hit. 

“On Thursday I had a very constructive meeting with Alex Claassens and the RTBU but it’s now time to remove barriers and take it all before an independent umpire for a resolution. 

“Sydney commuters deserve nothing less.” 

NSW Government estimates that the RTBU industrial disruption and strike action costs the economy between $10 million to $20 million a day. 

On Tuesday, the NSW Government will enter into negotiations with the RTBU seeking to agree terms to start a Fair Work managed arbitration. 

Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said commuters have had enough of disruptions to the rail network and just want to be able to go about their daily routines without additional cost or stress. 

“Offering five fare free days is in the best interest of commuters and demonstrates to the rail union bosses and all their members that the NSW Government is acting in good faith and determined to reach a resolution. I ask the union to reciprocate this act of good faith,” Mr Elliott said. 

“This week while we are before the Fair Work Commission to determine the scope of arbitration, it is imperative that all parties come to the table with a strong desire to put an end to these continued disruptions on our rail network.” 

Minister for Finance Damien Tudehope said “Arbitration by the independent umpire is the fastest way to resolve the issues in dispute and get the government’s fair and reasonable pay offer in the pockets of rail workers.” 

Almost 1 million (886,500) commuter trips are taken each week day across the Sydney train network. The cost of free travel on the network is around $1.5 million per day. 

Construction has begun on the Great Southern Walk, a brand new multi-day experience that will take walkers on a 67-kilometre adventure through three magnificent coastal areas.
 
Minister for Environment James Griffin said work is underway on the first section of the new track on the Illawarra Escarpment, linking Bald Hill with Stanwell Park.
 
“This is such an exciting project for NSW because it will be five-day experience like no other, traversing a spectacular route from Sydney’s Kamay Botany Bay National Park, along the coastline of Royal National Park, then down to Bulli Tops in the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area,” Mr Griffin said.
 
“Our NSW national parks already attract more than 60 million visits a year, and we know that more people are looking for unique, multi-day adventures in nature, which this walk will deliver.
 
“The Great Southern Walk is right on Sydney’s doorstep, and the project is part of the biggest infrastructure investment in the history of NSW national parks.
 
“This is all about helping people get into nature because as the great David Attenborough said, no one will protect what they don’t care about, and no one will care about what they have never experienced.”
 
The Great Southern Walk is a five-day, four-night journey through stunning coastal scenery and places of national heritage significance.
 
New camping and accommodation facilities are earmarked for sites along the route, so walkers of all levels of experience can enjoy an overnight walk in the NSW bush.
 
Member for Heathcote Lee Evans said the new walk will deliver exceptional nature-based tourism that supports Aboriginal owned businesses.
 
“An Expression of Interest process is underway to provide opportunities for Aboriginal people to bring visitors onto Country and showcase local culture,” Mr Evans said.
 
“The NSW Government is seeking an Aboriginal owned business or an operator partnering with the Aboriginal community to deliver multi-day walking experiences that connect Great Southern Walk visitors with the world’s oldest living culture.”
 
Parliamentary Secretary for Wollongong and the Illawarra Peter Poulos said the construction that has started on a new track between Bald Hill and Stanwell Tops will create a link between the southern end of Royal National Park and the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area.
 
“This truly ‘Great Walk’ will boost the local tourism economy, create local jobs and drive visitation to our national parks,” Mr Poulos said.
 
“It will showcase our spectacular coastline, our communities and highlight the beauty of this part of the world, right here on Sydney’s doorstep.”
 
Since 2019, the NSW Government has secured 600,000 hectares for addition to the national park estate to protect threatened habitats, wildlife and cultural heritage in perpetuity.
 
National park management and visitation generates $18 billion in economic activity annually and supports more than 74,000 jobs. About 75 per cent of the economic benefits of national parks are delivered in rural and regional NSW.
 
The Great Southern Walk Project is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to deliver more than 200 visitor infrastructure projects by 2024, including 750km of new and upgraded walking and mountain-biking tracks, 61 new or improved picnic and visitor areas, and 36 campground upgrades.
 
For more information visit https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/parks-reserves-and-protected-areas/park-management/community-engagement/walking-tracks-and-trails-in-national-parks/great-southern-walk

After a three month deployment in support of the US fire service’s firefighting efforts, the NSW Rural Fire Service’s (RFS) Marie Bashir Large Air Tanker will arrive in Sydney this afternoon.
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the plane and a crew of aviation personnel have spent hundreds of hours in the air, fighting 37 fires across six US states and dropping more than 1.23 million litres of suppressants.
 
“What was initially a four week posting for the Marie Bashir and her crew was extended to more than three months, undertaking life-saving work in order to protect American communities,” Ms Cooke said.
 
“Our thoughts are with impacted communities including in Idaho, Nevada and California, as well as the firefighters and other personnel who battled the recent fires.
 
“NSW firefighters are all too familiar with the threat of bush fires and have a proud history of helping others, both here in Australia and overseas.
 
“Our personnel and resources are among the best in the world and the request to have our Large Air Tanker help out is testament to this.”
 
RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers said NSW has the nation’s largest aerial firefighting fleet and continues to assist interstate and international firefighting agencies.
 
“It’s great to be able to provide this support to US fire authorities for the second year in a row,” Commissioner Rogers said.
 
“We welcome the Marie Bashir back to home soil at RAAF Base Richmond, where she will be ready for dispatch in NSW and interstate this bush fire season as warmer conditions begin to return.”
 
The 737 Large Air Tanker has a cruising speed of 850 kilometres per hour and can drop more than 15,000 litres of fire suppressants at a time.

The NSW Government used the final two sitting weeks of the year to continue to deliver historic reforms for first home buyers, women’s safety, enhanced integrity and responding to, and recovery from, natural disasters.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said these reforms show that the NSW Government remains committed to securing a brighter future for the people of NSW.
 
“This is a Government with big ideas to improving the lives of people across NSW, whether you live in the city or out in the bush,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“These reforms will have a positive impact across all areas of the community. They will assist first home buyers to own their own home sooner, ensure we save lives with our landmark coercive control justice reforms, enhance integrity across Government and bolster our response to, and recovery from, natural disasters.
 
Bills passed in the last two weeks include:
 

• Property Tax (First Home Buyer Choice) Bill
• Crimes Legislation Amendment (Coercive Control) Bill
• NSW Reconstruction Authority Bill
• Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Amendment (Family is Culture) Bill
• Aboriginal Land Rights Amendment Bill
• Crimes Amendment (Protection of Criminal Defence Lawyers) Bill
• District Court Amendment Bill
• Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Bill
• Privacy and Personal Information Protection Amendment Bill
• Fisheries Management Amendment Bill
• Government Sector Audit and Other Legislation Amendment Bill
• Integrity Legislation Amendment Bill
• Point to Point Transport (Taxis and Hire Vehicles) Amendment Bill
• Treasury and Energy Legislation Amendment Bill
• Electronic Conveyancing Enforcement Bill
• Building and Other Fair Trading Legislation Amendment Bill
• Government Sector Employment Amendment Bill
• Motor Accident Injuries Amendment Bill 

Councils across NSW are being supported with $9.9 million in NSW Government grants to reduce the impacts of flooding by mitigating flood risks in their communities.
 
Minister for Environment James Griffin said the 2022-23 Floodplain Management Program grants will help ensure communities are better prepared for and protected from potential flooding.
 
“Across the state, we’re funding 65 Council projects that have a focus on understanding risks and taking action to reduce the impact of floods on local communities,” Mr Griffin said.
 
“The funding being delivered to local councils will help them understand their local flood risks and implement actions to reduce flood impacts, such as building levees, flood gates and establishing warning systems.
 
“The Floodplain Management Program has been running since the 1980s, and now with a third La Nina season upon us, these grants will help councils future-proof their flood plans, and ensure communities are more prepared for flood risks.” 
 
In the past decade, the NSW Government has provided approximately $165 million through the Department of Planning and Environment’s Floodplain Management Program to fund more than 770 local council projects.
 
Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman said the grants are excellent news for local councils and provide an opportunity to improve flood prevention. 
 
“The NSW Government is aware of the challenges local councils face in understanding and managing flood risk, especially as La Nina continues to batter our communities,” Ms Tuckerman said.
 
“We’re helping councils take positive steps to understand and plan for future flooding events, so we can minimise damage and loss to our towns and cities.”
 
Examples of new projects funded as part of the 2022-23 Floodplain Management Program include:

• $100,000 for Shoalhaven City Council to update the 2013 St Georges Basin Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan
• $120,000 for Bega Valley Shire Council to conduct the Wolumla flood study and management plan to better manage flood risks and inform future land-use
• $101,332 for the Georges River Council to develop a flood study
• $284,000 for the Tweed Shire Council to construct the Dorothy-William Streets levee area pump station and reduce the effects of flooding on private property and public infrastructure
• $666,667 for the Griffith City Council to complete construction of the first stage of the Hanwood stormwater pump and levee
• $1.8 million for Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council to construct an overflow channel on Turallo Creek, which will direct flood waters away from properties.

 
For more information and a full list of grants, visit: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/water/floodplains/floodplain-management-grants/grants-awarded

The NSW Government has put the Commonwealth on notice over the rural GP crisis, declaring the need to urgently expand a program to attract and retain doctors in the bush.
 
Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said while the Federal Government’s commitment to the Single Employer Model is welcome, the decision to wait until next year before commencing the trial is detrimental to regional NSW communities that need action now. 
 
The Single Employer Model sees Local Health Districts take on junior doctors as the single employer, in partnership with Primary Health Networks and individual GP practices.
 
This adds a significant incentive for junior doctors to work and stay in the bush, with benefits including a higher salary early in their career and stable employment.
 
“The NSW Government has identified five areas of regional NSW to expand the Single Employer Model that is currently being piloted in Murrumbidgee Local Health District – and we are ready to go now,” Mrs Taylor said.
 
“The model demonstrates that by doing things differently we can deliver outcomes that work for our communities.”
 
Minister Taylor has written to the Federal Government stating that urgent action is required to address the lack of primary care providers and the concerning future pipeline of health care professionals in regional NSW.
 
NSW is ready to expand this model, however, requires the Commonwealth to grant exemptions under section 19(2) of the Health Insurance Act 1973.
 
Mrs Taylor said the Commonwealth must immediately expedite the process and allow the NSW Government to get on with rolling out the model across rural and regional NSW.
 
“The Federal Health Minister has said he will look at this next year, but next year is too late. The GP crisis in the bush is real and our communities are calling for action now. This should have been the Albanese Government’s first priority six months ago.”
 
Mrs Taylor said NSW Health will commence expressions of interest with GP practices in five Local Health Districts, including Western NSW, Hunter New England, Far West and Northern NSW and a further expansion of the program in Murrumbidgee. 
 
Remaining regional Local Health Districts are actively considering adopting the model.
 
“The success of the Murrumbidgee model proves that by working together, the benefits can be life-saving. It’s time the Commonwealth stepped up rather than just talking it up,” Mrs Taylor said.

Sydney is set to burst into life this summer with five individual and unique long lunches celebrating the diversity of the Sydney hospitality scene.
 
Thanks to the NSW Government and part of the Sydney in Summer event series, OPEN FOR LUNCH will feature Sydney’s best chefs and restaurants including Luke Mangan, Matt Moran, Anna Polyviou and more.
 
Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin said OPEN FOR LUNCH will bring thousands of locals and visitors together to kick-off Sydney in Summer and inject a significant boost to NSW’s world-class hospitality industry.
 
“OPEN FOR LUNCH will be an unforgettable dining experience and a celebration of food, produce and award-winning chefs across four dining precincts along George Street and a once-off takeover of CommBank Stadium at Parramatta on Friday, 2 December,” Mr Franklin said.
 
“Top culinary delights will be on the menu featuring NSW produce and legendary musical performances across all locations, making Sydney the place to be this summer.
 
“This world-class event features never before seen collaborations between Sydney’s hospitality royalty including mimi’s and Tottis; and YCK venues with NOLA Smokehouse, Rockpool Bar & Grill and dessert queen, Anna Polyviou.
 
“These are exciting times in NSW as Sydney in Summer builds on an incredible major events line-up including Opera on Cockatoo Island, Frida Kahlo: The Life of an Icon, the Art Gallery of NSW Opening Festival, Sydney WorldPride, blockbuster musicals, festivals, major sporting events such as SailGP, the United Cup, the HSBC Sydney 7’s and racing carnivals.”
 
Each precinct will have different attractions from food style and beverage pairings, to the entertainment and ambiance, which includes roving performers, DJs, Ministry of Sound Orchestra, Australian Motown legends, International musical guests, amusement rides, hay bales and country music.
 
Tickets are now on sale to all of the long lunch options, which are priced at $65 plus a booking fee. Tickets for each dining experience are limited. To book tickets visit www.openforlunch.com.au.
 
OPEN FOR LUNCH is the first of the Sydney in Summer event series, presented by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.
 
To find out more and plan your summer in Sydney visit www.sydney.com/events.

Hundreds of new firefighters have joined the ranks of Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) with a graduation ceremony held today at the Emergency Services Academy in Western Sydney.
 
Of the new recruits, 60 have qualified to become permanent firefighters, with an additional 167 becoming on-call firefighters.
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the 161 men and 66 women will be deployed all over NSW as they begin their new careers.
 
“Each firefighter has spent up to 14 weeks learning their trade, studying various techniques to deal with different emergencies, how to apply first aid, search and rescue skills, heavy vehicle driving and HAZMAT response know-how,” Ms Cooke said.
 
“It’s heartening that the overwhelming motive of people joining Fire and Rescue NSW is to make a positive difference to their community and protect the irreplaceable: our loved ones, pets and homes.
 
“The 227 graduating firefighters come from all walks of life and I congratulate them on the decision to join one of the most professional emergency service organisations in the world.”
 
Among the graduates is a leading Sydney Swans AFLW player, Rebecca Privitelli, and a former Winter Olympics Skeleton racer, Emma Lincoln-Smith.
 
FRNSW Commissioner Paul Baxter said today’s graduation ceremony represents the beginning of a challenging and rewarding career for NSW’s newest firefighters.
 
“A career at Fire and Rescue NSW involves more than fire. Our firefighters are ready to support our community at their time of greatest need in all sorts of ways,” Commissioner Baxter said.
 
“They will conduct important prevention and education activities, as well as respond to a wide range of incidents across all our capabilities including technical rescue and road crashes, fire and hazardous material incidents, natural disasters like floods and bush fire and so much more.
 
“The firefighters graduating today have shown great determination, from the competitive application process to the demanding physical training, and they will go out into our communities armed with specialist skills to be prepared for anything.”
 
Some of the graduates have already started at their new fire stations, while others will join their new platoons from Monday.

Women living with severe symptoms of menopause will be able to access specialised care at four Australian-first health hubs, with another 12 services to open across the state, thanks to the NSW Government’s $40 million 2022-23 Budget commitment over four years.

The four menopause hubs include two enhanced services now open at The Royal Hospital for Women and Royal North Shore Hospital, a new hub established at Campbelltown and a rural network hub led by Hunter New England in 2023.

Treasurer Matt Kean said the services had been designed by clinical experts and women who had experienced severe symptoms of menopause, as part of a statewide taskforce.

“These networked hubs and services will be staffed by doctors, allied health professionals and nurses who will support women across NSW by providing the most up-to-date, specialised care,” Mr Kean said.

“For women who are experiencing severe symptoms or are going through menopause early, such as after cancer treatment, these services will provide much-needed support, advice and care during a very challenging time.”

Minister for Women and Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said about 50 per cent of women experience significant menopause symptoms, including hot flushes, headaches, brain fog, loss of word memory, body aches and pains and insomnia, while around one in five women suffer extreme symptoms.

“Many women suffer these symptoms in silence and do not seek the support and treatment they need. We want to break down the social stigma around talking about menopause and encourage women to share their experiences,” Mrs Taylor said.

“To start the conversation we have launched an awareness campaign and a Menopause Toolkit, which provide clear information about perimenopause and menopause, as well as information about accessing services in NSW.”

Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the network of menopause services across the state will also help women manage the longer term health risks associated with menopause, such as osteoporosis, heart disease and high blood pressure.

“This network of 16 menopause health services will support about 5,500 women each year as they face the daily challenges of living and working while enduring menopausal symptoms and associated health risks,” Mr Hazzard said.

“These services offer both in-person and virtual care to give women choice about how they receive care and manage their symptoms.”

Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier and Member for Vaucluse Gabrielle Upton said the menopause hubs would provide much-needed support to women in NSW communities at a time of change in their lives.

“The NSW Government is providing substantial investment to support women going through severe menopause and it’s fantastic to see this hub open at the Royal Hospital for Women to support women in our local community,” Mrs Upton said. 

Associate Professor John Eden, Reproductive Endocrinologist and Director Sydney Menopause Clinic, Royal Hospital for Women said most women experiencing severe menopausal symptoms are not receiving any treatment however these unpleasant symptoms can be safely and effectively managed.

All 16 networked menopause services are expected to be operational by late 2023.
Women can access the specialised menopause services through their general practitioner.

A Minns NSW Labor Government will draft new rules and streamline planning processes to stop new developments on dangerous floodplains.

New South Wales is continuing to experience an escalating number of major flood events in recent years.

It is increasingly clear that we cannot continue to develop and build in flood prone areas, and risk putting more people in harm’s way.

There are too many government entities responsible for planning, flood recovery and reconstruction, and while all intentions are good, there is often too much buck-passing and lack of accountability.

Other than the Minister for Local Government, there are five separate ministers in the current government with various planning powers.

NSW Labor will adopt a proactive approach to planning and mitigating against the impact of floods – and charge one Minister with the responsibility of stopping further development on dangerous flood prone areas.

We will achieve this by charging the Greater Cities Commission and the Department of Planning with the task of coordinating with local councils, and streamline planning processes under the Minister for Planning, cutting through unecessary bureaucratic red-tape.

Labor’s commitment builds on the recommendations of the O’Kane and Fuller flood report, which called for simplifying the planning system, coordinating with councils and planning authorities, and ensuring flood planning is factored into future planning decisions.

Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader, said:

With more frequent and increasingly severe flood events, it simply makes no sense to continue to repeat the same mistake of developing in flood-prone areas.

“Labor will adopt a proactive approach to planning and mitigating against the impact of floods, by drafting new rules and streamlining planning processes.”

Paul Scully, NSW Shadow Minister for Planning & Public Spaces, said:

“With separate ministers in the current government responsible for exercising various planning powers, it is clear the planning system is broken.

“Streamlining and simplifying planning processes was a key recommendation of the O’Kane and Fuller report.”

Jihad Dib, NSW Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, said:

“One of the criticisms of the Government’s flood response has been there are too many entities with variable responsibilities. This has caused many people and communities to fall between the cracks.”

Greg Warren, NSW Shadow Minister for Local Government, said:

“We must bring together all levels of government, as well as communities, industry and other stakeholders to get this right.”