Category: NSW News

The NSW Government acknowledges the Federal Court’s decision today to dismiss the Rail, Tram and Bus Union’s application for an urgent hearing on the legality of the proposed union action to deactivate Opal card readers at rail station gates.

The Federal Court has proposed hearing dates for February or March 2023.

It is entirely unnecessary for the union to be in this position. The Government’s priority is allowing rail workers to access a fair and reasonable increase in pay and conditions by taking its offer to a vote. This offer has been negotiated with representatives of six unions during the course of 64 bargaining meetings held over more than 12 months, equating to 50,000 hours and 6,250 business days.

Once again, the NSW Government urges the rail unions to agree to put the proposed Enterprise Agreement package, including the $1.1 billion modifications to the New Intercity Fleet, bonuses for workers for accepting overtime and a one-off payment of $3,185, to a vote of its members to ensure rail workers benefit from the increased pay and generous allowances before Christmas.

The Federal budget has failed to address the national energy bill crisis while also robbing NSW residents of promised projects and funding.
 
NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said the Federal Labor Government had failed to help the nation’s consumers who are facing bill shock as global forces lash the National Energy Market.
 
“It’s a national problem that requires a national solution. Consumers have been shortchanged,” Mr Kean said.
 
The Federal Budget only delivered $7.5 billion in cost of living relief across the country, while the 2022-23 NSW Budget delivered $7.2 billion for NSW alone.
 
“We saw the Albanese government campaign on cost of living and a promise to slash electricity bills; tonight they barely delivered, giving people a sense of what a Labor election promise is worth,” Mr Kean said.
 
Billions in promised funding has also been stripped from NSW including $1.7 billion over four years for infrastructure projects including:
 

• $433 million for Dungowan Dam
• $75 million for the Wakehurst Parkway

“The Federation has long operated on a trust system of sharing funds between the Commonwealth and the states, making our country successful and stable,” Mr Kean said.

“Tonight the Commonwealth broke that trust and that system, doing serious damage to the NSW economy and budget.

“This means thousands of jobs won’t be created, and vital services and amenities will be put on hold.”

Commonwealth health funding projections for NSW have also been revised downwards since the March budget by $1.1 billion over the four years.

There was also no allocation of funds towards raising the Warragamba dam wall, a safety measure designed to protect the people of Western Sydney.

However, NSW welcomes the Commonwealth’s commitment to childcare, housing and climate change.

Other key funding for NSW in tonight’s Federal Budget includes:

• NSW will receive $2.9 billion for infrastructure in 2022-23, excluding pass through payments, which is $1.3 billion less than the March Budget. The Budget funds longer-term capital funding commitments including $500 million for the High Speed Rail Authority in NSW to start corridor acquisition, planning and early works for the Sydney to Newcastle High Speed Rail.
• The Commonwealth has provisioned a further $1.3 billion over the four years for Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements for NSW, relating to the floods which occurred in the first half of 2022 since the March Budget.
• $4.7 billion over four years from 2022-2023 for cheaper childcare.
• $531.6 million to expand the Paid Parental Leave Scheme, transitioning from a total 20 weeks in July 2023 to 26 weeks leave by July 2026.
• $24.9 billion new climate-related spending measures over 2022-23 to 2029-30 through the Budget, aligning with the NSW Government’s priority of boosting investment in energy, climate change and sustainability.
• $324.6 million over four years from 2022-23 to establish the Help to Buy scheme to assist people on low to moderate incomes to purchase a new or existing home with an equity contribution from the Government.

A Diverging Diamond Interchange is being proposed at the Picton Road and M31 Hume Motorway interchange under a bold new plan to improve safety, reliability and efficient travel for motorists.
 
Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward says the NSW Government is seeking feedback on the preferred option for the interchange.
 
“The Macarthur region is expanding in population faster than anywhere else across the state, which is why it is so important to have this road connection in place so families moving to the area can get to work and school,” said Mrs Ward.
 
“This innovative proposed design allows free flowing turns when exiting and entering Picton Road meaning fewer traffic light phases, making the interchange safer and more efficient for motorists.
 
“This project forms part of the broader upgrade of Picton Road between the Nepean River and the M1 Princes Motorway, which is a key link between the Macarthur Region and Greater Sydney.”
 
The NSW Government has allocated $44 million over four years for the planning of the upgrade of Picton Road and the Australian Government has committed $95.6 million to the planning of the upgrade of Picton Road and Picton bypass projects.
 
The Picton Road and M31 Hume Motorway Diverging Diamond Interchange is the second to be proposed in NSW, with one currently proposed for Australia Avenue, Homebush.
 
Member for Wollondilly Nathaniel Smith MP says the NSW Government has responded to community feedback calling for improvements on Picton Road and has spent the past 12 months developing a preferred option for the interchange.
 
“Current and future residents of Wollondilly and surrounding region will soon have an intersection that will cut travel time and provide a safer route on to the Hume Motorway,” Mr Smith said.
 
“We know there are delays, congestion, and frustration for those using the interchange which contributes to less reliable access to Picton Road. As our population continues to grow, we must be able to accommodate more traffic through the interchange.”
 
Timing and funding for major work on the new interchange, are yet to be confirmed.
 
For more information on the Picton Road upgrade, view the preferred option animation or give feedback on the Diverging Diamond Interchange visit nswroads.work/pictonupgrade.
 
If you have any questions or would like to provide feedback on the preferred option, please contact the project team via telephone 1800 290 613 or email pictonroad@transport.nsw.gov.au 
 

NSW residents who want to buy their first home, rent or require access to affordable and social housing will benefit from the new National Housing Accord that will deliver thousands of new homes across the state.
 
The National Housing Accord, announced in last night’s Commonwealth Budget, will unlock quality, affordable housing supply and aims to deliver an additional 20,000 affordable housing dwellings over the five years from 2024-25 across Australia.
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said NSW welcomed the landmark agreement of the Commonwealth, States and Territories, the Australian Local Government Association, institutional investors including superannuation funds, and residential development, building and construction industry representatives.
 
“The NSW Government in the June Budget committed $2.8 billion in housing investment to support first home buyers, deliver more affordable and social housing and free up more land for new houses,” Mr Kean said.
 
“The easiest way to get first home buyers into their first homes is through the NSW Government’s first home buyer choice initiative, which last week was backed by former prime minister Paul Keating, but continues to be opposed by NSW Labor.
 
“NSW will continue to explore further opportunities to free up landholdings for affordable housing under the Accord which builds on our existing commitments and will deliver even more housing from 2024-25 onwards.”
 
NSW Minister for Planning and Homes Anthony Roberts said the Accord will help address Australia’s housing supply challenges and enable the delivery of more social and affordable housing.
 
“It recognises the importance of states and territories to expedite zoning, planning and land releases for social and affordable housing,” Mr Roberts said.
 
“I welcome the construction sector peak bodies’ commitment under the Accord to support high energy efficiency rating construction and the training of more apprentices under an extended Australian Skills Guarantee.”
 

More public school teachers are being encouraged to move to the bush thanks to a significant NSW Government investment to improve the supply and quality of teacher housing. 
  
An additional $23.5 million housing investment has been provided on top of the $174 million key worker housing investment already announced as part of the 2022-23 Budget. 
  
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said providing housing is one of the most tangible ways we can attract and retain workers in the regions. 
 
“We know housing is one of the biggest factors in attracting workers and driving further growth in the regions,” Mr Toole said. 
 
“It is vital that teachers who work in the regions, especially in our more remote and rural schools, have access to comfortable, modern housing close to their workplace.” 
 
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said $8.4 million of the additional investment will be spent on new housing in towns including Bellata, Broken Hill, Coolah, Gilgandra and Ivanhoe. 
  
“While we have generous financial incentives for teachers to go to a country school, many teachers considering a regional move have told us that housing is just as important a factor in their decision-making, if not more so,” Ms Mitchell said. 
  
“Ensuring teachers have quality housing options available to them will attract and retain quality teachers to some of our more remote schools.” 
 
Construction work onnew housing has already started in the State’s north this term. 
 
Teacher housing improvements will include $12.3 million of funding for renovations to approximately 50 Teachers Housing Authority managed properties in areas including Stuart Town, Mumbil, Ellerston, Girilambone and Adaminaby.  
  
Around 100 teacher houses will have new heating and cooling installed, worth almost $2 million, and $800,000 is being invested in increasing housing supply by taking out head leases, with the properties to be occupied by country teachers. 
 
Investment in teacher housing is part of the Government’s delivery against the recommendations of the 2021 Regional and Remote Incentives Review.

NSW businesses trialling innovative, field-ready bushfire technologies can now apply for the second round of the NSW Government’s Bushfire Technology Pilots Program.
 
Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology Alister Henskens said the $2.6 million program would provide grants of up to $250,000, to help innovators turbocharge their research into practical solutions that will improve bushfire detection, preparation and response.
 
“We are investing in these technologies to ensure our State continues to be a world leader in bushfire technology,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“As well as giving homegrown innovators the opportunity to test their cutting-edge technology, the program provides them with critical links to frontline services, so they can fast track the adoption of new approaches.
 
“This program demonstrates the NSW Government’s commitment to R&D, turning local research into new industries, which will create jobs, grow the economy and help secure a brighter future for NSW.”
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the program builds on the success of the first round of funding, with five innovative ideas now being piloted.
 
“The first round of grants included providing power to remote sites, real-time monitoring of fire conditions and data-sharing,” Ms Cooke said.
 
“By their very nature bushfires are difficult to control and very dangerous, which is why we need to invest in new technology to innovate our State’s firefighting response to better protect communities from future natural disasters.
 
“I look forward to seeing what innovations come through next to complement the incredible work of our emergency service organisations.”
 
More information about the program, and how to apply, is available online.

The State’s emergency response has received a major boost with the launch of two new NSW Maritime vessels and a state-of-the-art maritime command centre in Sydney Harbour. 

Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said the vessels worth $2 million and the $700,000 State Marine Incident Coordination Centre (SMICC) in Rozelle would help NSW Maritime crews swing into action across the State. 

“Unprecedented rain and flooding this year have led to a major increase in debris on NSW waterways, resulting in an extremely busy 12 months for the Maritime Environmental Services team,” Mr Elliott said. 

“These new NSW built boats will boost the clean-up effort, while our new coordination centre will be a central hub for our response to natural disasters and maritime events; whether it’s managing New Year’s Eve or the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, or supporting our partner agencies such as the joint rescue of the stricken cargo vessel MV Portland Bay in July.”

“The SMICC also has the latest in live TV capabilities with direct access to newsrooms not only across Australia but also worldwide, allowing our people to relay real-time information during an emergency.”

NSW Maritime Executive Director Mark Hutchings said the new maritime vessels would replace older barges – and the latter could be relocated regionally to assist with potential flood response efforts. 

“The new vessels, which have an offshore capability, have been fitted out with the latest in marine technology, including navigation equipment and increased deck space for safe loading of hazards and waste,” Mr Hutchings said.  

“It’s a far cry from the 1930s when cleaners used to row around Sydney Harbour in open timber boats. These days the team removes everything from drones, shopping trolleys and Christmas trees to TVs, washing machines and fridges.” 

“In the year to June 30, our crews collected over 2,200 cubic metres of litter and debris from Sydney’s waterways, enough waste to fill more than 9,000 large household bins. The team also recovered 4,600 navigation hazards, improving safety for recreational and commercial vessels.”   

The launch of the maritime vessels and SMICC coincides with the release of the NSW Government’s Maritime Safety Plan 2022-2026, which sets out the goal of eliminating fatalities and serious injuries on navigable waterways by 2056. 

More information on the Maritime Safety Plan is available here.

Applications are now open for Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services across NSW who are looking to improve their facilities and education offerings to support NSW children.  

The NSW Government is investing $21 million through the revamped Quality and Participation Grants to support eligible early childhood education services improve learning environments, increase community outreach and meet costs associated with implementing recent reforms. 

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the NSW Government is committed to giving every child the best start in life by providing them with quality early childhood education. 

“These grants provide services with up to $15,000 to purchase equipment, undertake outdoor renovations and improve learning resources and materials,” Ms Mitchell said.  

“The Quality and Participation Grants help services increase access and participation for vulnerable children, and improve learning environments to lift the experiences of all children.  

“We know how beneficial a quality early childhood education is, and we are supporting  services to provide the best environments for our preschoolers to grow and learn in. ” 

Applications for the Quality and Participation Grants are open now and close on 14 November 2022. 

More information, including further eligibility criteria, can be found at: https://education.nsw.gov.au/early-childhood-education/operating-an-early-childhood-education-service/grants-and-funded-programs/quality-and-participation-grants-program

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $50 million to help regional and rural councils fix the increasing number of potholes brought on by this year’s extreme wet weather.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said under the new Fixing Local Roads Pothole Repair Round, councils can apply for funding to help them address their highest priority pothole repairs.

“NSW has had more than its fair share of natural disasters and extreme weather and it’s promising to see that more than 135,000 potholes have been repaired on State roads in regional NSW since February,” Mr Farraway said.

“However, plenty more potholes still require attention, particularly on council-managed roads, which is why our Government is putting more money on the table for councils to repair potholes on the roads regional communities use every day.

“This funding is available to help every regional council across the state to carry out emergency repairs and would fix roughly more than 420,000 potholes on their roads.

“This additional support will help ease the pressure local councils are facing and boost the resources they can draw upon to repair their most damaged roads to improve safety and reduce wear and tear on vehicles.”

The new funding builds on the $500 million invested by the NSW Government through the Fixing Local Roads program to help regional councils repair, maintain and seal local roads across the state.

Funding under the Fixing Local Roads Pothole Repair Round is available to 95 regional councils and authorities to help repair potholes on regional and local roads. Work must be completed by 1 January 2024.

Applications for funding are open for two weeks from today with funding announced in November so councils can begin work as soon as possible.

NSW landowners who host electricity transmission lines are set to benefit from a new Strategic Benefit Payments Scheme designed by the NSW Government to support the rollout of a modern electricity grid.
 
Under the scheme, private landowners in NSW will receive $200,000 per kilometre of new transmission infrastructure hosted on their land, paid out in annual instalments over 20 years, indexed to CPI.
 
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the scheme will be the first of its kind in Australia and recognises the NSW Government’s commitment to building a modern electricity grid that maximises benefits for communities and households.
 
“Building new transmission infrastructure is critical to connecting renewable energy sources to the grid and most of this new infrastructure will be built in regional NSW,” Mr Toole said.
 
“Supporting landowners and regional communities who host this infrastructure will help us build the network we need in time to ensure energy security, supply and affordability for families across NSW.”
 
Minister for Energy Matt Kean said maximising the economic benefits of this new infrastructure and supporting regional communities is central to the NSW Government’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap and the successful delivery of the Renewable Energy Zones.
 
“NSW has the most ambitious renewable energy policy in the nation, which is needed to replace the State’s ageing coal fired power stations and build a clean energy future for NSW,” Mr Toole said.
 
“The scheme is part of our commitment to share the benefits of a reliable, clean and affordable energy grid with the landowners who will have a vital role in supporting the delivery of critical transmission infrastructure that will make this possible,” Mr Kean said.
 
“This is a huge win for landowners across NSW that will almost double the average payment they currently receive – and importantly – the rate of the payments will be calculated in the same way regardless of where you live to ensure all landowners are treated equitably under the scheme.”
 
The scheme will apply for new major transmission projects critical to the energy transformation and future security of the energy grid, including the Central-West Orana Transmission Project, Project EnergyConnect, HumeLink, the New England Transmission Project and the Hunter Transmission Project.
                             
Payments under the scheme are separate, and in addition to, the one-off upfront compensation paid to landowners for the acquisition of transmission easements in accordance with the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991.
 
Further information on the Strategic Benefit Payments Scheme is available at  https://www.energyco.nsw.gov.au/community/strategic-benefit-payments-scheme.