Category: NSW News

This year’s Vivid Festival has injected $119 million into the NSW economy, with a record 2.58 million people attending the festival from NSW, interstate and around the world to view the largest lights festival in the Southern Hemisphere.
 
Vivid Sydney 2022 saw the largest opening weekend ever with 440,000 tourists coming to Sydney, while 2.1 million attendees had a sit-down or takeaway meal, providing a significant boost to local businesses.
 
Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin said the record-breaking attendance for Vivid Sydney 2022 was extraordinary and showed that Sydney had roared back to life after the pandemic.
 
“We have seen unprecedented attendance for Vivid Sydney 2022, which is wonderful to see and a clear sign Sydney is back bigger and better than ever,” Mr Franklin said.
 
“The stats speak for themselves and reflect the significant contribution the festival makes to the city’s economy with local hotels, bars, restaurants, tourism operators and small businesses all reaping the benefits.
 
“Almost 30 per cent of attendees came from outside Sydney, with a significant portion of visitors then travelling into regional NSW, generating $12.2 million to regional economies.
 
“World-class events like Vivid Sydney are all about helping to boost the NSW economy, create jobs and showcase why Sydney is the best place to live.”
 
Vivid Sydney 2022 won 14 medals at the 2022 International Festival & Events Association Pinnacle Awards. The Pinnacle Awards recognise excellence in festival and event promotions and operations globally.
 
Vivid Sydney 2023 is set to offer even more for attendees with the addition of Vivid Food. Vivid Food will promote creativity, innovation and stimulate visitation to CBD restaurants and venues.
 

Thousands of teachers, nurses, police officers, single parents and older singles will have the opportunity to own their own home sooner after legislation for the NSW Government’s $780.4 million shared equity scheme passed Parliament today.
 
Under the scheme, due to begin early next year, the NSW Government will contribute an equity share up to 40 per cent for a new home or up to 30 per cent for an existing home purchased by eligible buyers.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said key workers, single parents and older singles struggling to enter the housing market will soon receive help to make their home ownership dreams a reality.
 
“They will benefit from the security of their own home sooner, with a lower deposit, smaller loan and less in repayments,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“The shared equity scheme will allow up to 6,000 eligible key workers and low-income households to own their own homes with a minimum 2 per cent deposit, but without the burden of lenders mortgage insurance and no interest on the Government’s equity share in a property.”
 
Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said participants in the scheme would remain eligible for first home owner grants and any stamp duty exemptions or concessions.
 
“Saving a deposit is a huge barrier to home ownership. Lower upfront costs will allow more lower-income households to buy their own homes,” Mr Roberts said.
 
“Buyers will be able to borrow less for their home and pay lower monthly mortgage repayments, reducing the level of risk they’re taking on, especially with the likelihood of future interest rate increases.”
 
Under the scheme:

• Up to 3,000 spots will be available each year in 2022-23 and 2023-24
• Key worker first home buyers who are nurses, teachers or police officers – as well as singles over 50 and single parents with a child or children up to 18 – can apply
• Participants must have a maximum gross income of $90,000 for singles and $120,000 for couples
• Participants must have a minimum deposit of 2 per cent of the purchase price
• The Government will make a maximum equity contribution of 40 per cent for a new home and 30 per cent for an established home
• The maximum value of the property that can be purchased under the scheme is $950,000 in Sydney and regional centres including the Central Coast, Illawarra, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and the North Coast of NSW, and $600,000 in other parts of NSW.

 
The shared equity scheme is part of the NSW Government’s $2.8 billion Housing Package. The package aligns with the Housing 2041 vision, which drives the supply of affordable, diverse, and resilient housing options for our communities.
 
For more information visit: https://nsw.gov.au/shared-equity-scheme

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.
 

Today’s interim report of the Inquiry into Teacher Shortages in New South Wales reveals the serious and real world impacts of the teacher shortages facing schools.  
 
The overwhelming evidence to the inquiry concluded the teacher shortage had caused declining education outcomes; merged classes; minimal supervision and out-of-field teaching.
 
The report also found that casualisation of the teaching workforce as well as burdensome administration workload had led to burn out and attrition of the teaching workforce.
 

“In recent years, results against standardised tests including NAPLAN have stagnated and parents and teachers report the negative effects that merged classes, minimal supervision and out-of-field teaching have on students.” [p.12]
 
“The lack of available casual staff has meant that out-of-field teaching, merged classes and minimal supervision are an increasing phenomenon within NSW schools.” [p.9]
 
“The current lack of workforce planning coupled with a failure to recognise the underlying causes of the shortages will only intensify the crisis being felt across NSW schools.” [p.12]

 
These issues were reflected in a survey of 11,299 teachers issued as part of the inquiry, which found that:
 

• 92% reported teacher shortages causing merged and cancelled classes;
• 65% reported teacher shortages causing out-of-field teaching; and
• 39% reported teacher shortages leading to unsupervised classes.

The NSW Government’s own figures reveal there has been a 30% reduction in people studying teaching in NSW.

NSW Labor has already begun announcing solutions to help solve the Perrottet Government’s teacher shortages, including:

• creating 10,000 more permanent teaching roles in NSW by shifting temporary positions into permanent roles in a bid to stem teacher attrition rates; and
• conducting a line-by-line audit of all administrative tasks’ teachers are required to do, to deliver a reduction of 5 hours of administrative work per week.

 
The inquiry, which began in June 2022 has held four hearings, receiving evidence from teachers, parents and experts, and will resume in early 2023.
 
Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader, said:

This report only confirms the very real world impacts that teachers, students and parents have known for too long.
 
“Merged and cancelled classes, declining education outcomes, and students left on their own.
 
“The rampant casualisation of the teaching workforce and the escalating administration workloads under the Liberals and Nationals is seeing our teachers burnt out and leaving in droves.” 

Prue Car, NSW Deputy Labor Leader and Shadow Minister for Education, said:
 
“Under the Perrottet Government, chronic teacher shortages are leaving students with cancelled or merged classes each and every day.
 
“This inquiry is shining a light on the Perrottet Government’s failure to ensure every child has a qualified teacher in front of them in the classroom.
 
“Student outcomes have continued to go backwards over 12 years of Liberal National Government in NSW, and it’s crystal clear that change is needed.”

A Minns Labor Government will commit $225 million over the next three years to expand and upgrade Canterbury Hospital.

This desperately needed expansion will see an increase in the hospital’s bed capacity, as well as additional services.

Canterbury Hospital has served the community for almost a century, with the hospital’s last major redevelopment taking place 25 years ago.

The hospital services not just patients from the Canterbury area, but St George, Bayside, Inner West and Inner South residents too.

Labor has long campaigned for the redevelopment of Canterbury Hospital, urgently needed as part of a wider structural fix to our healthcare system.

Two years ago 60 senior doctors wrote an open letter decrying services at Canterbury which they described as “inadequate”, “poorly resourced”, and “shocking”.

Just last month Labor lodged a petition of over 10,000 signatures with the NSW Parliament, calling for this urgently needed redevelopment to proceed.

More beds

The expansion will see at least an additional 120 beds, including more general medical and surgical beds; inpatient mental health beds; ambulatory beds; emergency department treatment spaces; intensive care unit beds; and maternity beds.

The commitment from NSW Labor will also deliver additional operating theatres and birthing rooms.

More services  

Local residents can also expect more services available at the hospital – both an expansion of existing services as well as the introduction of new services.

With 25 years since it’s last upgrade, Canterbury Hospital currently has no renal dialysis, and cuts have been made to palliative care. Existing maternity beds are shared four bed wards that is no longer considered sound clinical practice.

Expectant mothers are reluctant to discuss pregnancy related issues because their ante natal visits are held in an open, crammed room with no privacy.

The funding from NSW Labor will expand the existing maternity services with a whole new maternity department.

Outpatients services will include the full suite of cardiovascular services, diabetes management, endocrinology, respiratory and cardiology.

Labor’s commitment will also deliver renal dialysis services for the first time, at Canterbury Hospital.

And NSW Labor will also introduce a new 20-bed Community Mental Health facility.

Labor’s initial commitment of $225 million will come from the unallocated $3 billion WestInvest Government agencies fund – not the $2 billion allocated to Local Governments and community groups – which under Labor will also have its remit expanded to include urgently needed healthcare projects.

Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader, said:

NSW Labor will have a challenge on its hands to turn around 12 years of neglect by the Liberals of our state’s health system.

“This is a hospital that desperately needs an upgrade. In the middle of winter patients were being treated in tents.

“I’m determined to begin to meet the challenge with a comprehensive policy response, that’s not only about boosting staff numbers, but delivering the health infrastructure to go with it.

“I want to also thank and acknowledge the hard working staff at Canterbury Hospital. They have done an extraordinary job in very difficult circumstances particularly over COVID.”

Ryan Park, NSW Shadow Minister for Health, said:

“Today’s announcement represents another component to Labor’s policy response to the Liberals’ health crisis.

“NSW Labor commitment will not only expand the capacity of Canterbury Hospital, but will increase the suite of services available to local residents.”

Sophie Cotsis, NSW Labor Member for Canterbury, said:

“Like so many people in my local community I was born at Canterbury Hospital. We have been fighting for years to get extra funding, but it has never come.

“Anyone who has been to Canterbury Hospital knows it is long overdue for this upgrade and expansion. It’s been 25 years since the last time it’s been redeveloped.

“I am so proud that a Minns Labor Government will deliver on this.”

NSW Labor will significantly reduce the burden of administrative tasks placed on our state’s teachers, beginning with a line-by-line audit of teachers’ administrative workloads.
 
Burdensome administrative workloads are eating away at precious learning time and pushing teachers out of the profession.
 
Reducing administration is a key component of Labor’s plan to address chronic teacher shortages and reverse falling student outcomes.
 
Administrative burdens & teacher shortage
 
Schools, teachers and principals are over-burdened with administrative tasks and bureaucratic processes.
 
Teachers and schools are subject to 219 policy documents requiring them to enforce compliance with a range of policies.  
 
This leaves less teaching and learning time, and has seen teachers leaving the profession in droves.
 
Full-time teachers are working on average 150 per cent of their contracted working hours – or 60.1 hours per week – according to the December 2021 Australian Teacher Workforce Data report.
 
Ninety-two per cent of teachers believe that reducing administrative workloads is the best solution to addressing the teacher shortage, according to a surveyconducted by the NSW Parliament.
 
Labor’s plan
 
An elected Minns Labor Government will instruct the Department of Education to conduct a line-by-line audit of all administrative tasks teachers are required to do, to deliver a reduction of 5 hours of administrative work per week.
 
The review will look at ways to remove, simplify or digitise tasks, with a focus on culling administrative tasks that add no benefit to student outcomes.
 
This will increase teaching and learning time in our classrooms, and reduce the attrition rate of teachers.
 
Teacher shortage and declining education outcomes
 
Over 28,000 permanent teachers left NSW public schools between 2010 and 2021.
 
Between 2006 and 2018, NSW students have dropped from 6th to 23rd in reading, dropped from 9th to 31st in maths and dropped from 3rd to 23rd in science.
 
Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader, said:

Teachers shouldn’t have to spend more time documenting a lesson than teaching it.”
 
“We will go line-by-line over every piece of admin that teachers are required to do and make sure that time will instead be spent on improving student outcomes.”
 
“Labor’s plan to reduce the bureaucratic burdens on our teachers goes to the core of the teacher shortage.

 
Prue Car, NSW Shadow Minister for Education, said:
 
“This is another necessary step to help solve the teacher shortage crisis that has grown under 12 years of Liberal-National Government.
 
“Burdensome administrative workloads are impacting learning time and pushing teachers out of the profession in droves. Ultimately, we see the impact of this in declining education outcomes.
 
“Teachers and parents both agree that teachers should be allowed to spend more time teaching – it’s the best outcome for our teachers and the best outcome for children.”

The 2022 Netball NSW State Dinner took place at the Waterview in Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday 5 November with the game’s best of the best coming together for a night of celebration.

Not only were awards handed out to the best athletes, umpires, officials, volunteers and administrators in the state, some of the game’s finest were also inducted into the Netball NSW Hall of Fame.

After missing out on the event for two years as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, in total there were nine new inductions in the Hall of Fame while three individuals were elevated to Legend status – Netball NSW’s highest honour.

In many ways Saturday’s celebration was three years in the making, a point Netball NSW President Louise Sullivan was keen to make in her address.

“What makes me most proud is the fact that this year we have seen the fruit blossom from seeds planted when we were in lockdowns in 2020 and 2021,” she said.

“While it was hugely disappointing for our participants, volunteers and fans to miss out on events and competitions in those years, it didn’t mean the hard work stopped.   

“I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to our grassroots community, our pathways teams and our staff for their pragmatism, commitment, passion and dedication to our game.

“Netball has, and always will be, a force for positivity and inclusion in this state and everyone has played a huge role in that, and should be very proud.”

Netball NSW would like to congratulate the following Hall of Fame inductees and Awards winners on their achievements.

2022 HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS

• Anne Clark BEM (Elevated to Legend status)
• Anne Doring OAM
• Beverley Watson
• Catherine Cox AM
• Cheryl McCormack
• Lynn Quinn OAM
• Marianne Murphy
• Maureen Boyle OAM (Elevated to Legend status)
• Natalie Avellino
• Neita Matthews OAM (Elevated to Legend status)
• Sharon Kelly OAM
• 2006 Sydney Swifts (collective team induction)

To read more about our Hall of Fame inductees please CLICK HERE

2022 AWARDS WINNERS

• Marilyn Melhuish OAM Medal: Maddy Proud (NSW Swifts) & Jo Harten (GIANTS Netball)
• Nance Kenny OAM Medal: Lili Gorman-Brown (Sutherland Stingrays) & Eliza Burton (North Shore United)
• Wendy Archer AM Medal: Kiara Bloor (Sutherland Stingrays)
• Marj Groves AM Scholarship: Audrey Little (QBE Swifts Academy), Emily Moore (GIANTS Academy)
• Margaret Corbett OAM Coach of the Year: Abbey McCulloch (Sutherland Stingrays/QBE Swifts Academy)
• Neita Matthews OAM Umpire of the Year: Zoe Turner (Liverpool)
• Lynn Quinn OAM Bench Official of the Year: Raelene Turner (Parramatta Auburn)
• Dot McHugh OAM Administrator Award: Jodi Cassar (Port Stephens)
• Anne Clark BEM Service Award: Carol Bunton (Randwick), Denise Philipson (Inner Western Suburbs), Patricia Connor (Penrith District), Judy Burns (Hawkesbury City), Vicki Newby (Parramatta Auburn).
• Judy Dunbar Media Awards: Jenny Sinclair (Best Overall Media Coverage), Jenny Sinclair (Best Feature), Rhoda Fowler (Best Community Media)

New short courses focused on the advanced manufacturing skills of the future will be rolled out in Western Sydney, with the aim of unlocking the half-a-trillion dollar global semiconductor market.
 
Semiconductors are the building blocks of modern computing and power almost all electronic devices, from smartphones to military communication and medical devices.
 
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade and Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said three new semiconductor micro-credentials would be rolled out under the NSW Government’s $37 million New Education Training Model (NETM).
 
“The global semiconductor shortage in recent years has affected all manufacturers of electronic goods, including computers, smartphones and cars,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“NSW is perfectly positioned to capitalise on the opportunity that the semiconductor industry presents, but to truly cement our spot in the market, we need future-focused skills and knowledge.
 
“These new micro-credentials will be driven by what industry needs and will teach local people how to design and test semiconductors, fostering innovation, creating jobs and securing a brighter future for Western Sydney.” 
 
The University of Sydney, along with Cadence, a leader in electronic systems design and computational software, have developed three micro-credentials, or short courses, which will build knowledge, skills and experience in designing semiconductors.
 
Western Parkland City Authority Chair Jennifer Westacott said the NETM is being delivered by the Authority in collaboration with industry, universities, vocational education and training providers and government.
 
“As we attract new industry and create skilled new jobs in the Western Parkland City, giving people access to the right skills, training and education will be critical to taking advantage of these new high quality, high paying jobs,” Ms Westacott said.
 
“The NETM is industry-led and designed to fill the gaps in traditional training quickly. It allows businesses to create micro-credentials that plug gaps in their workforce training and lets them expand and grow into new and emerging industries.”
 
The launch of the new micro-credentials follows the NSW Government’s recent $4 million investment to establish the Semiconductor Sector Service Bureau (S3B) which will build capability and talent in the semiconductor industry.
 
S3B Director Dr Nadia Court said by 2025, the leading use of semiconductors is expected to be in smartphones, especially as these devices support advanced technologies like 5G and extended reality.
 
“The use of semiconductors in the automotive industry is also expected to triple with an increase in autonomous driving and e-mobility,” Dr Court said.
 
“It’s so great to see two leaders in their fields, Cadence and University of Sydney come together to deliver three amazing micro-credentials to design semiconductors.”
 
By 2025, the NETM will develop 100 micro-credentials providing more than 7,000 training opportunities. Some of the courses currently on offer include practical foundations of biology, microbiology, organic and inorganic chemistry, technical drawing and additive manufacturing.
 
For more information about the NETM visit, https://www.wpca.sydney/delivery/netm/.

The first ever joint National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Destination NSW tourism campaign has been launched, encouraging Australians to ‘find your path’ in the State’s magnificent natural landscapes.
 
Minister for Environment James Griffin said the advertising campaign showcases some of the most diverse national parks on the planet.
 
“From the crystal clear waters of Tomaree National Park, to other-worldly rock formations in the Warrumbungles, Australia’s best snow at Kosciuszko, and ancient cultural landscapes of Mungo and Mutawintji, we are so lucky to have an incredibly diverse range of landscapes right here in our backyard,” Mr Griffin said.
 
“With more than 890 diverse national parks are reserves, we know that NSW is the national parks capital of Australia, but research suggests that our national parks aren’t quite as well known as parks in other states.
 
“If you don’t know, you won’t go, so in collaboration with Destination NSW, NPWS has created a campaign to showcase our magnificent national parks to Australia and the world – from our icons to our hidden treasures.
 
“Our aim is for visitors to fall in love with our spectacular regions, arriving at our national parks as tourists and leaving as conservationists.
 
“Our national parks aren’t just brimming with natural wonders, they also support 74,000 jobs and contribute $18 billion in visitor expenditure to our economy annually, with 75 per cent of the economic benefits delivered in rural and regional NSW.”
 
The campaign will reach millions of people as it rolls out across television, digital media, billboards and outdoor media in Victoria, Queensland, the ACT, Sydney and regional NSW from 4 November.
 
Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin said the first major National Parks and Wildlife Service and Destination NSW campaign aligns with the NSW Government’s ‘Feel New’ brand.
 
“Our ‘Feel New’ material creates an emotional connection to our
State unlike any previous campaign,” Mr Franklin said.
 
“Visitors to our national parks can bask on sunlit coastlines, walk among World Heritage-listed rainforests, make snow angels atop Australia’s highest mountain, and connect with Country on stunning desert landscapes.
 
“Tourism is the lifeblood of many regional and rural communities, and our national parks are perfectly positioned to support regional economic recovery and assist communities that have endured drought, bushfires, flooding and a pandemic.”
 
NSW is the ‘National Park State’ of Australia, with 890 spectacular parks and reserves, including the second oldest national park in the world Royal National Park, in Sydney.
 
Earlier this year, Lonely Planet reported that one of the prevailing trends in travel is the continued surge of interest in hiking.
 
NSW is one of the best places in the world to hike, and the NSW Government is determined to make it even better, with 755 kilometres of new and upgraded walking and mountain-biking tracks, 61 new or improved picnic and visitor areas, and 36 campground upgrades.
 
To make sure the experience in NSW national parks is as spectacular as the parks themselves, the NSW Government is delivering the largest investment in national parks history, with $450 million dollars for more than 200 visitor infrastructure projects across the State by 2024.
 
Learn more: Nature And Parks NSW – Plan a Holiday – National Parks & Wildlife (visitnsw.com)

Motorists visiting the Australian Capital Territory will now be able to search and compare petrol prices in real-time, with the nation leading FuelCheck app expanding across the NSW border again.
 
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the app would display prices for the 60 plus service stations in the ACT to help motorists get the best price at the bowser.
 
“We know how porous the ACT and NSW border is so this is a win for residents of both NSW and the capital territory.  I congratulate the Chief Minister and his Government for embracing this technology,” Mr Dominello said.
 
“Today’s announcement builds on the Tasmanian Government utilising this marvelous technology in 2020.
 
“There is often more than a 20-cent per litre difference in the price of petrol between service stations and using FuelCheck regularly can save you in excess of $800 per year.
 
“Since it went live in NSW in 2017, the app has had more than 2.2 million downloads, with 93 per cent of motorists giving it the thumbs up.
 
“I look forward to the app being adopted by other states on the eastern seaboard for the mutual benefit of our citizens”.
 
The app will list prices for Unleaded and Ethanol and Premium fuel types as well as Diesel. The technology will be initially piloted for six months in the ACT.
 
FuelCheck is one of more than 70 ways households can save money and boost their budget through the NSW Government.
 
For more information on FuelCheck and to download the app visit:  https://www.fuelcheck.nsw.gov.au/app