Category: NSW News

A range of projects aimed at reducing the risk posed by future disasters will share in almost $13 million from the Australian and New South Wales governments.
 
The joint funding is being provided to educational institutions, Government agencies and not-for-profit organisations through the State Risk Reduction stream of the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF) to deliver projects that better protect communities against future natural disasters, including research programs, useable tools like apps and awareness campaigns.
 
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said the funding is being allocated to projects that have a State-wide impact.
 
“Investing in ways that reduce the severity and impact of natural disasters is a high priority. We stand ready to work with all levels of government, community members and organisations to achieve this,” Minister Watt said.
 
“Over the past three years New South Wales has copped disaster after disaster which have left communities reeling. Recovery is ongoing and we continue to support those efforts, but it is equally important to make sure we are investing in risk reduction projects for future disasters.”
 
New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the State Risk Reduction stream of the DRRF targets projects which will better protect communities.
 
“The $13 million will go towards helping communities be better prepared for when future disasters inevitably strike,” Ms Cooke said.
 
“The projects receiving funding cover a range of hazards including floods, fires, heatwaves and storms, with initiatives ranging from capability building and community engagement to new data systems and technology.”
 
The DRRF offers $52 million in total to build resilience and help reduce, mitigate and manage the risks of future disasters.
 
Some of the successful funding recipients include the Bushfire Building Council of Australia for the creation of a building assessor app and training program to improve the disaster resilience and energy efficiency of homes, and the Department of Planning and Environment to undertake flood hazard projects under plausible climate change scenarios.
 
For a list of recipients of the first round of funding, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/resilience-nsw/disaster-risk-reduction-fund.
 

An army of cyber security, cloud computing and artificial intelligence experts will be trained at the State’s first revolutionary Institute of Applied Technology (IAT) with the NSW Government today unveiling of a suite of 19 new digital-focused courses.
 
The new facility, located at Meadowbank, is a partnership between TAFE NSW, Microsoft, the University of Technology Sydney and Macquarie University, and will focus on turbocharging the take-up of digital skills to strengthen our State’s workforce.
 
Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the new IAT, which opens in February next year, is now taking enrolments in courses spanning artificial intelligence, cyber security, cloud computing, machine learning and data analytics.
 
“These courses have been developed hand-in-glove with industry to meet current and emerging skill needs,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“At a time when cyberattacks are on the rise, this training will allow people to quickly build the skills we need for a strong and safe digital economy.
 
“With Australia needing another 17,000 cyber professionals by 2026, now is the time for people to enroll in courses at our new IAT and get the skills they need for jobs in cyber security, digital forensics, data engineering, machine learning, and more.”
 
To meet this increasing industry demand, the IAT will offer a combination of flexible microskills and microcredentials to cater for new learners as well as current industry workers who require upskilling to maintain pace with the rapidly evolving sector. 
 
Member for Ryde and Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said learners can stack multiple microcredentials to create a nationally recognised certification, such as a diploma, or advanced diploma, or count towards a degree with participating education partners.
 
“Ryde is being transformed into an education and employment powerhouse, and this revolutionary new training facility will help attract, retain and upskill local workers, which is a fantastic win for our community,” Mr Dominello said.
 
In addition to the 19 programs now available, the IAT will release another 16 courses in time for Semester 2, 2023. For more information, visit www.iat.nsw.edu.au.  
 

Businesses will now be able to register for the NSW Seniors Card program faster and more efficiently online, thanks to the new digital registration process officially going live from today.
 
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the new and improved digital registration process will save businesses time and make it easier for them to update their discounts and business details.
 
“Until now, businesses were required to submit paper forms and wait up to four weeks to get approved to join the program with on average just fifteen new businesses on boarded each month,” Mr Dominello said.
 
“With the new online registration process, we have the ability to register hundreds of new businesses every week. For most businesses the registration process will take less than 10 minutes.
 
“We have also added a new enhanced map experience that will provide seniors with a bird’s-eye view of the savings on offer.
 
“Since launching the Digital Seniors Card in April, we have had an average of 24,000 seniors joining the program every month. Our digital savvy seniors are really enjoying the experience with a customer satisfaction rate of 90 per cent.”
 
Minister for Seniors Mark Coure said increasing business participation in the NSW Seniors Card program was a win-win for seniors and businesses.
 
“By reducing the registration time, we are making it much easier for businesses across the State to get involved in the program and promote themselves to the almost two million seniors in NSW,” Mr Coure said.
 
“The new digital platform will also allow new and existing businesses to easily update their discounts with the click of a button. This is a great opportunity for businesses to directly reach one of the State’s biggest markets.
 
“While giving them opportunity to connect with more customers, these businesses will ultimately be helping ease some of the pressure on seniors’ house hold budget.”
 
To register their business for the NSW Seniors Card program, business representatives must be authorised to act on behalf of the business by being listed as an associate in the Australian Business Register. If they are not, they’ll be guided through the steps for authorisation when they start their registration. Alternatively, they can supply a letter of authority. 
 
For more information or to register, call Service NSW on 13 77 88 for assistance or to complete the online form go to: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-be-nsw-seniors-card-program-participating-business 

The NSW Government is encouraging communities to have their say on the Environmental Impact Statement for Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 to help shape the final design for this once-in-a-generation transport project.
 
Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 (PLR 2) would transform how people move around the region and the public exhibition of the EIS was a perfect opportunity for the community to learn more about the project and provide feedback.
 
“The Parramatta Light Rail extension would link Stage 1 and the Parramatta CBD with the entertainment and sport precinct of Sydney Olympic Park, delivering a much-needed public transport solution to connect Greater Parramatta to the Olympic Peninsula (GPOP),” Mr Elliott said.
 
“GPOP is one of the fastest growing areas in the Central River City, and this project will deliver significant improvements across Western Sydney by connecting great people with great places while supporting jobs and housing growth.”
 
Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said Western Sydney communities will be reaping the benefits of a modern, world-class transport system.
 
“Placing the EIS on public exhibition is a vital part of the planning process which allows the community to have its say, and helps assess the proposal,” Mr Roberts said.
 
“The proposal will be open for comment until 7 December 2022, and I encourage everyone to take this opportunity to learn more about the proposal and make a submission.”
 
Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said PLR 2 would deliver improved transport connectivity for families on their commute to work, education or medical appointments via a safe, modern and reliable system.
 
“PLR 2 will ultimately provide new services approximately every 7.5 minutes between 7am and 7pm on weekdays and 14 fully accessible stops over a 10-kilometre two-way track. There will be an 8.5-kilometre walking and bike-riding path parallel to the light rail corridor linking to the existing network,” Mr Lee said.
 
Following planning approval construction on PLR 2 will start with enabling works and delivery of the bridge across the Parramatta River between Melrose Park and Wentworth Point.
 
There will be several opportunities to hear more about the proposal through face-to-face information sessions or via a virtual engagement room.
 
Visit Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 virtual engagement room for details about information sessions and how to make a submission.
 

A new authority dedicated to disaster preparedness, recovery and reconstruction from natural disasters will be established under legislation introduced to Parliament today.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the creation of a NSW Reconstruction Authority was a key recommendation of the independent Flood Inquiry, conducted by Professor Mary O’Kane AC and Mick Fuller APM.
 
“Travelling throughout our state this year, I have seen firsthand the devastating impact floods have had on our communities,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“We need to make sure communities across NSW are equipped to respond to natural disasters and that they have the support to get back on their feet.
 
“This Authority will be key to ensuring communities across NSW can better prepare for and recover more quickly from the impact of floods and other natural disasters.”
 
Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the Reconstruction Authority will focus on better preparing NSW communities against future disasters and protecting lives and property.
 
“We’ve always said we will do whatever we can to improve our management of natural disasters from prevention to response and rebuilding – and this authority is an important part of us putting those plans into action,” Mr Toole said.
 
“The establishment of the NSW Reconstruction Authority is the Government’s commitment to learning from past challenges to make us stronger as a State.”
 
Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said the Authority will have the responsibility and power to facilitate the protection, recovery, and reconstruction of affected communities following a natural disaster.
 
“The Authority will implement mitigation measures against the impact of potential disasters, and improve the resilience and adaptation of communities moving forward,” Mr Roberts said.
 
“Modelled off the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, it will ensure NSW is as prepared as we can be to tackle disaster mitigation and recovery head on.”
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the Reconstruction Authority will help communities to be better prepared when natural disasters hit.
 
“Our emergency services organisations continue to lead the response to natural disasters, with the new Reconstruction Authority focusing on the crucial tasks of long-term rebuilding and risk mitigation,” Ms Cooke said.
 
The Authority will also be responsible for:

• Developing a State disaster mitigation plan and material to guide councils to prepare adaptation plans; and
• Ensuring development needed to prevent or recover from a natural disaster can be delivered quickly.

 
The Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation will continue its important work rolling out the $800 million Resilient Homes Program rebuilding communities within the Byron, Clarence Valley, Lismore, Richmond Valley, Tweed and Kyogle local government areas, before being transitioned into the NSW Reconstruction Authority at an appropriate time.
 
For more information, visit www.planning.nsw.gov.au/flooding.

NSW is set to become the first state or territory in Australia to have a mandatory notification scheme for its government agencies to respond to breaches of NSW citizens’ personal data.
 
Attorney General Mark Speakman said the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Amendment Bill 2022, introduced by the NSW Government into Parliament, would create new standards of accountability and transparency for government bodies and introduce a mandatory notification of data breach scheme in NSW.
 
“Every day, the people of NSW offer their personal information to government agencies, which is a significant undertaking of trust,” Mr Speakman said.
 
“In doing so, they enable the government to provide them with quality, connected services, and the information required to continually improve these services to best meet their needs.
 
“In return, the government has a responsibility to effectively and proactively protect and respect that personal information.
 
“Once passed, this new law will provide consistency across public sector agencies by making it mandatory for public sector agencies to notify the Privacy Commissioner and those impacted by a data breach involving personal information which is likely to result in serious harm.
 
“Agencies will also have to satisfy a number of data management requirements, including making reasonable attempts to mitigate the harm done by a data breach, maintaining an internal data breach incident register, and have a publicly accessible data breach policy.”
 
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the NSW Government has taken a number of steps to protect customer privacy and personal information.
 
“The protection of people’s privacy is crucial to ensure public confidence in NSW Government agencies. It is imperative that the highest standards of privacy and security prevail to safeguard data,” Mr Dominello said.
 
“The NSW Government has made significant investments to protect citizens’ data, including funding $315 million to bolster our cyber systems and by launching ID Support NSW to help those impacted by identify theft.
 
“The bill will provide greater certainty for the public and government agencies regarding personal information and the steps required if a data breach occurs.
 
“A mandatory notification scheme also ensures that the ability for an affected citizen to take their own protective action is a primary consideration in any data breach response.”
 
The Scheme would apply to all NSW ‘public sector agencies’ as defined in the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998, including all NSW agencies and departments, statutory authorities, local councils, bodies whose accounts are subject to the Auditor General and some universities.
 
The bill will also expand the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998, including the new Scheme, to cover all NSW state-owned corporations not subject to Commonwealth privacy laws.

NSW residents will benefit from improved access to books and information with more than $165 million to be invested into public libraries over the next four years.

Treasurer Matt Kean said the ongoing record levels of funding enables public libraries, especially those in regional areas, to better meet the changing and diverse needs of their communities.

“In 2018, this Government delivered the largest increase to public library funding since the Library Act was established in 1939,” Mr Kean said.

“Today’s announcement demonstrates the Government’s ongoing commitment to public libraries and the extraordinary work they do to serve their communities. As part of the ongoing increase in funding, money provided to councils to support public libraries will be indexed to meet population growth.”

The annual funding package includes $30 million to councils to improve collections and services, a $6 million capital grants program, $2 million in Internet connectivity support and a range of targeted programs such as the Outback Letterbox Library, which is operated by Broken Hill City Library.

Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin said he is particularly pleased the record increases to annual subsidy payments will continue and an ongoing capital grants program will be maintained as part of the package.

“Libraries are a place to go to learn as well as a place to meet, providing a source of delight, education, entertainment and information,” Mr Franklin said.

“This funding ensures all councils will continue to have access to funds for library extensions, renovations and improvements, whether they are in the cities or the regions.”

State Librarian John Vallance welcomed the news on behalf of  NSW’s 364 public libraries.

“This announcement provides certainty for councils and enables them to plan ahead and to keep improving their collections, library buildings and spaces,” Mr Vallance said.

“The State Library works closely with all NSW local councils and their libraries, and we know this funding is critical to supporting free access to books and information for every citizen of NSW.”

Public library funding is administered by the State Library of NSW on behalf of the NSW Government.

The state’s events calendar just got bigger thanks to the NSW Government investing $8 million into 21 major cultural festivals and events run by local councils across Sydney, the Hunter and Newcastle, and the Illawarra. 
 
Grant funding of up to $500,000 a year for two years has been awarded to 15 local councils across the state’s Six Cities regions to host major multicultural events and festivals in partnership with the NSW Government. 
 
Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said each partnership with the councils will help make their events bigger tourism attractions and local economy boosters.
 
“To have 21 different multicultural events hosted by 15 councils across the state’s Six Cities regions is a testament to NSW’s rich cultural and religious diversity,” Mr Coure said.
 
“This funding will help each of these councils take their events and festivals to the next level.”
 
 

Blacktown City CouncilCampbelltown City CouncilCity of Canterbury BankstownCumberland City CouncilGeorges River CouncilInner West CouncilLake Macquarie City CouncilLiverpool City Council

Maitland City CouncilCity of NewcastlePort Stephens CouncilShellharbour City CouncilStrathfield CouncilWilloughby City CouncilWollongong City Council

Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman said the partnerships will be a real win for the residents and visitors of local communities.
 
“Local Councils are the level of government closest to the community, so the NSW Government working directly with councils in our six cities will ensure these celebrations benefit their communities directly,” Mrs Tuckerman said.
 
“By partnering with councils, we are boosting local cultural celebrations led by local leaders, helping to cater for bigger crowds so tourists can experience everything their city has to offer.”
 
The Six Cities Regions comprise the Lower Hunter and Greater Newcastle City, Central Coast City, Illawarra-Shoalhaven City, Western Parkland City, Central River City and Eastern Harbour City.
 
Successful councils can use the funding for festivals in 2023 and 2024. All successful councils will partner with the NSW Government and co-fund to host events. For more information, visit www.multicultural.nsw.gov.au  

The NSW Government today announced an independent, wide-ranging review of sentencing for firearms, knives and other weapons offences in NSW.
 
Attorney General Mark Speakman said the review will be undertaken by the NSW Sentencing Council, the state’s independent advisory body on sentencing matters and sentencing trends.
 
“The NSW Government is committed to keeping our community safe. That’s why I’ve asked the Council, through its Chairperson the Hon Peter McClelland AM KC, to review and advise on sentencing for firearms, knives and other weapons offences in NSW,” Mr Speakman said.
 
“This is the first time that such a comprehensive weapons review will have been undertaken in NSW by the Sentencing Council. A limited review of firearms offences was last undertaken by the Council in 2004, and some knife offences have never been reviewed.
 
“In requesting this review, I want to make sure that sentencing laws relating to possession and use of firearms, knives and other weapons remain in line with community expectations and that law enforcement agencies have access to the tools they need to keep our streets safe.
 
“The terms of reference will ensure a wide-ranging, extensive review of existing sentencing offences, including an in-depth analysis of sentencing convictions over the past five years.”
 
Terms of reference
 
Under the terms of reference, the Sentencing Council has been asked to conduct a review of sentencing for firearms, knives and other weapons offences, including but not limited to offences in the Crimes Act 1900 and Summary Offences Act 1988, and make any recommendations for reform that it considers appropriate.
 
In undertaking this review, the Sentencing Council should:
 

• provide sentencing statistics for convictions and penalty notices (where relevant) over a five-year period;
• provide information on the characteristics of offenders, sentence type and length;
• provide background information, including:
  • the key sentencing principles and reasoning employed by sentencing judges;
  • the mitigating subjective features of offenders; and
  • any other significant factors considered in sentencing decisions that explain how courts come to their final decision on sentence (which may be done using case-studies or collation of predominate themes across cases);
• consider whether the standard non parole periods where identified remain appropriate;
• consider whether offences for which penalty notices are available remain appropriate;
• consider whether the maximum penalties for the offences are appropriate with reference to other jurisdictions;
• consider whether any existing summary offences should be made indictable offences;
• consider any other matter the Council considers relevant.

The NSW Government has presented a final assistance package to NSW taxi licence holders, offering the most generous assistance payments in the country worth a total of $905 million.
 
The extra cash injection will see the passenger service levy (PSL) increase by 20 cents to $1.20 (ex GST) and be extended to 2030.
 
According to Transport for NSW data, the package is more than double the compensation offered by the Victorian Government and more than nine times the package offered by the Queensland Government.
 
Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway made the announcement today and said the changes to the financial assistance package were as a result of continued discussions and feedback from representatives from the taxi industry.
 
This now takes the total assistance package, designed to help fully deregulate the industry, from $645 million to $905 million – more than is being offered by any other state in Australia.
 
Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said the final assistance package delivered fair and equitable financial assistance to all taxi licence holders across the state.
 
“I’ve always sought to ensure families who paid out their hard earned cash were not left with the burden of debt through no fault of their own and I sincerely hope this eases the financial burden on our cabbies as they manage the transition in point to point services,” Mr Elliott said.
 
“I urge the taxi industry to support this generous package so that taxi licence owners receive the money they deserve as soon as possible.”
 
The new package provides $150,000 for every Sydney metropolitan taxi licence holder with a cap of 6 plates. Each regional taxi plate will be paid between $40,000 and $195,000, with no cap on the number of plates.
 
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Faraway said the NSW Government had presented the most generous taxi assistance package in the country.
 
“On the back of natural disasters and a pandemic, the NSW Government has still been able to offer businesses like the taxi industry a fair deal,” Mr Farraway said.
 
“We have done this in the fairest way to customers with a modest 20 cent increase in the PSL which delivers an extra $260 million to the taxi industry bringing the total amount to $905 million.
 
“I have met with taxi operators around regional NSW, particularly those in Zone Four. This new package will see those Zone Four operators offered $40,000, an increase of 60 per cent on the previous proposal and on top of payments already made.
 
“This package is our final offer and should it be accepted by the NSW Taxi Council and its members then the funding will be in the bank accounts of taxi owners as soon as early next year.
 
“To date we have still not heard if Opposition Leader Chris Minns supports our package or if he has a package of his own.”
 
As part of this final assistance package, the passenger service levy will cease in 2030.
 
Should the final package not be accepted, legislation will not be introduced.
 
A Government appointed review will then be launched to assess a compensation package, based on the existing passenger service levy.