Category: NSW News

Every child has the right to an education of the highest quality every day. That is what Labor believes and what has always guided us in the decisions we make.
 
Unfortunately, this government’s neglect and inaction has led to widespread teacher shortages which are having a detrimental impact in schools every single day.
 
If nothing is done these shortages will only worsen and more children will miss out.
 
At a time of rising enrolments there has already been a 30 per cent slide in the number of people studying to become teachers. Sixty per cent of teachers say they plan to leave teaching within five years.
 
This is a crisis that this government created and has no plan to fix.
 
It is a government that won’t listen to teachers, won’t address the real causes of the shortages and is unwilling to take the decisions necessary to secure the teaching workforce we need for the future.
 
The ongoing attempt by the Government to impose a three year Award on teachers at 2.53% on teachers while also failing to act on the excessive workloads experienced by teachers is wrong and will make an already bad situation worse.
 
This will not be the approach of a Labor Government. We are committed to putting forward a comprehensive education plan in the lead up to the March election.
 
We will listen to teachers and we will work with the union to address the teacher shortages and the crippling workloads that are forcing more and more people to walk away from the profession.
 
Over the last 10 years, the Liberal-National Government has undermined the independence of the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC). Labor has already committed to scrapping the Perrottet Government’s wages cap.
 
If we are elected in March, Labor will also instruct the Department of Education to immediately begin negotiations with the union. We expect a full bargaining period with a view to reaching a comprehensive agreement to reduce workloads and make salaries more competitive while protecting the NSW budget.
 
This can be achieved, if necessary, with the assistance of an independent Industrial Relations Commission who will have the capacity to assess salaries based on the changing nature of teachers’ work and its value to our society, using an interest-based bargaining framework.
 
The Crown Employees (Teachers in Schools and Related Employees) Salaries and Conditions Award would be reopened to reflect the agreement reached with the union.
 
The excessive administration workloads of teachers cannot be allowed to continue.
 
The blueprint for the change needed to rebuild and reposition the teaching service back to its rightful place is well documented in the Gallop Inquiry report.
 
We will have more to say before the election on the steps we will take to remove the red tape burden, give teachers the time to plan and allow teachers to focus on delivering the best education for every child.

The $2.6 billion Sydney Gateway project, which will transform the way motorists travel to and from the Sydney Airport precinct, has hit a major milestone.
 
Construction on this significant road project is now 50 per cent complete, with work set to begin on the installation of the signature twin archway bridge over the Alexandra Canal in Tempe.
 
NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said this mega project was on time and on budget and was providing strong economic stimulus through job creation.
 
“Sydney Gateway will generate and support more than 4,000 jobs across the construction and manufacturing industries in Sydney and regional NSW over the life of the project,” Mr Kean said.
 
“This includes providing opportunities for 430 young people, more than 500 women and 130 Aboriginal people, which are all well above industry benchmarks.
 
“This means these people are learning and applying the technical skills needed to build world-class infrastructure here in Sydney.”
 
Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes said the project designs had been refined to incorporate community feedback.
 
“The Sydney Gateway project includes a new three kilometre pedestrian and cycle path along Alexandra Canal, creating a transport link for those who want an alternative way to travel to or from work or home,” Mr Stokes said.
 
“This is another example of the NSW Government’s commitment to delivering city-shaping projects as part of the $76.7 billion transport infrastructure investment across the state over the next four years.”
 
Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said the focus over the next few months would be the fabrication of the first of the two arch bridges that will connect St Peters Interchange with the International Terminal.
 
“Sydney commuters are now another step closer to faster and more reliable trips from St Peters Interchange to Sydney Airport, the M5 and the Eastern Distributor as this transformative project hits the halfway mark,” Mrs Ward said.
 
“The foundations have been laid, and workers will soon embark on the major engineering feat of putting together the 3,000 tonnes of 100 per cent Australian steel to form these eye-catching bridges.”
 
The project is on track to open to traffic in late 2024.
For more information visit nswroads.work/sydneygateway

Teachers, nurses, police officers, single parents and older singles are one step closer to owning their first home faster with legislation for the NSW Government’s $780.4 million shared equity scheme now introduced to Parliament.
 
The introduction of the shared equity legislation coincides with the First Home Buyer Choice legislation which will give first home buyers the choice between paying a large upfront stamp duty and a smaller annual property fee –  shaving two years off the time needed to save for a deposit.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said under the shared equity scheme, the NSW Government would 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.
 
“The NSW Government is helping make home ownership a reality for more people across our State including teachers, nurses, police officers, single parents and older single people,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“Key workers, single parents and older singles will be able to have the security of home ownership with a lower upfront deposit, a smaller loan, lower repayments, no lenders mortgage insurance and no interest on the Government’s equity share in a property.”
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said many older Australians struggle to find stable housing, with 37 per cent of individuals over 65 who are not homeowners relying on social or community housing.
 
“We know that housing security is an especially serious issue for older, vulnerable women,” Mr Kean said.
 
“Owning your own home is one of the best ways to set yourself up for financial security now and into the future and this scheme will help those facing significant barriers to home ownership buy their own place sooner.”
 
Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said this trial scheme would help participants overcome the deposit barrier to home ownership, as well as reducing the size of their mortgage and repayments.
 
“Under this scheme, buyers will borrow less for their home and lower their monthly mortgage repayments, making home ownership more affordable and easier to access for eligible people,” Mr Roberts said.
 
“We’re addressing the barriers to home ownership for people facing the highest hurdles, to make owning your own property a reality for more people in NSW.”

Under the NSW Government’s shared equity scheme:
 

• Up to 3,000 spots will be available each year for two years;
• Key worker first home buyers who are nurses, teachers or police officers – as well as singles over 50 years old and single parents with a child or children under 18 years old 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, and
• 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.

 
For more information visit https://nsw.gov.au/shared-equity-scheme
 

28,233 permanent teachers have left NSW public schools between 2010 and 2021 according to new data from the Department of Education.
 

Since 2011, NSW permanent teaching positions have increased by a mere 0.17 per cent, from 52,873 positions to 52,963 positions.
 

However, over the same period the number of temporary teachers ballooned by 71 per cent, or 11,461 additional temporary positions.
 

There is no doubt the increase in temporary positions has contributed to the teacher shortage crisis facing New South Wales.
 

The increase in temporary positions is causing job insecurity for teachers who are choosing to leave the profession and as a result schools and students will continue to experience teacher shortages, and merged and cancelled classes.
 

To add insult to injury under the NSW Liberals watch, teacher resignations have overtaken retirements.
 

For example in 2017, 649 teachers resigned from public schools while 1,836 retired.  
 

However, in 2021 there were 1,159 teacher resignations from public schools compared with 1,142 retirements in 2021.
 

This is an increase of more than 78 per cent in just 5 years.
 

These concerning statistics come on the heels of the Upper House Education Committee survey which revealed 60 per cent of teachers surveyed  intend on leaving the profession in the next five years, with 92.6 per cent attributing their exit to unmanageable workloads caused by the teacher shortage.
 

Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader said:

NSW needs more permanent teachers who are incentivised to stay and teach in our schools.
 

‘This data puts in black and white the failure of the NSW Liberal Government to effectively retain teachers.  
 

‘Teachers are leaving in droves due to this governments failure and it is our children’s education which is suffering as a result.

 Prue Car, NSW Deputy Labor Leader and NSW Shadow Minister for Education said:
 
‘The NSW education system is at breaking point, the teacher shortage crisis brought to you by the Perrottet Government is causing teachers to walk away in record numbers due to unmanageable workloads.
 

‘Educational outcomes in this state are going downhill under the Perrottet Government which has failed to support the education workforce.

Further funding is available for festivals and events that celebrate the rich cultural spirit of our State through the NSW Government’s Stronger Together Festival and Event Grants Program.
 
Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said local groups and community organisations can now apply for a share of $500,000 through the program.
 
“Community festivals and events are integral to the success of NSW and provide a meaningful way to share in our state’s cultural diversity,” Mr Coure said.
 
“These celebrations bring the colour and vibrancy of cultures across the world to our local communities.”
 
“Most importantly, they serve to break down barriers between people by fostering mutual respect and understanding.”
 
The program has previously funded vibrant events such as Little India Harris Park Business Association’s 2022 Deepawali Festival in Parramatta, the Australian Korean Association’s Korean Festival in Strathfield and Buddha’s Light International Association’s Moon Festival in Willoughby.
 
Mr Coure said this funding is in addition to the more than $1 million the NSW Government has already invested in cultural events and festivals this year.
 
“If you are an organiser of a community festival or event anywhere in NSW, now is your chance to apply for funding to support community harmony.”
 
The Stronger Together Festival and Events Grants provide between $5,000 and $15,000 towards the running of celebrations held between 1 February 2023 and 30 June 2023.
 
The grants program is now open. Applications close at 3pm, Friday 28 October, with outcomes announced in early December.
 
For further information about the grants, visit www.multicultural.nsw.gov.au.     

The first three Blue Plaques for Sydney have been installed today, celebrating some of the Emerald City’s most extraordinary historic figures.
 
Minister for Heritage James Griffin said the May Gibbs, Brett Whiteley and Sir Edward Hallstrom Plaques were installed in Neutral Bay, Lavender Bay and Mosman.
 
“Every Australian remembers tales of gumnut babies and ‘big bad Banksia men’ from childhood, and May Gibbs shaped generations of children’s responses to nature,” Mr Griffin said.
 
“The May Gibbs Blue Plaque, which has been installed at Nutcote in Neutral Bay, celebrates her grand legacy as Australia’s first full-time, professionally trained children’s book author and illustrator, whose work continues to delight readers to this day.
 
“The Sir Edward Hallstrom Blue Plaque, installed at the entrance of Taronga Zoo, recognises  a self-made entrepreneur and philanthropist who cared deeply about conservation and remains one of the Zoo’s most generous private benefactors.
 
“The NSW Government’s $5 million Blue Plaques program is a fantastic way of getting communities excited about and involved in their local heritage around the State.”
 
Member for North Shore Felicity Wilson said the Brett Whiteley Blue Plaque, now installed at his home in Lavender Bay, is a must-see for visitors to Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden.
 
“Archibald-winning Brett Whiteley created some of his most famous works at his home and studio in Lavender Bay, inspired by views of Sydney Harbour,” Ms Wilson said.
 
“These Blue Plaques celebrate and recognise the important contributions that Sir Edward Hallstrom, May Gibbs, and Brett Whiteley have made not only to our local community, but across NSW and Australia.
 
“We are incredibly fortunate to have such rich local heritage, and these Blue Plaques will ensure we are safeguarding our cultural heritage for future generations.”
 
These are the third, fourth and fifth Blue Plaques ever to be installed in NSW. The first was the Caroline Chisholm Plaque in East Maitland. The second was the Nancy Bird Walton Plaque in Kew, Port Macquarie.
 
So far, 21 Blue Plaque recipients have been named, and the NSW public will be invited to nominate more noteworthy people, stories and events when a second round of nominations opens.
 
The remainder of the Blue Plaques will be installed in yet to be announced locations in the coming weeks. To learn more, visit blueplaques.nsw.gov.au

The NSW Government is backing councils with funding and resources to move a backlog of planning proposals and development applications (DAs), and deliver more local housing.
 
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the $11.5 million Unblocking Homes Program will provide targeted support, to help fast-track the delivery of tens of thousands of homes currently stuck in the system.
 
“We’re building on our $2.8 billion 2022 Housing Package announced in this year’s Budget, with targeted help for councils to drive more local housing delivery,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“It’s timely support which will provide more opportunity and certainty for first home buyers, under-resourced councils and for the construction industry.”
 
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the support includes a new Regional Housing Flying Squad which would help regional councils clear development applications faster and speed up the delivery of new homes.
 
“We know there’s a shortage of qualified planners in some parts of the State. This is about overcoming that with a flying squad of experts who can help councils review development applications faster and move projects into construction,” Mr Toole said.
 
“We trialled this approach earlier in the year so we know it works. We’re now expanding it to ensure we are making an impact in the communities that need it most.”
 
Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said the Regional Housing Flying Squad is on track to assess more than 2,400 new homes, saving hundreds of hours of council planners’ time.
 
“Councils have done it tough in recent years with skills shortages, bushfires, COVID-19 and floods all contributing to a local planning backlog, and an increase in average assessment times for local DAs from 69 to 85 days between July 2021 and July 2022,” Mr Roberts said.
 
“We’re here to help with support for complex applications and assessments, freeing up council time and speeding up approvals to get more shovels in the ground sooner.”
 
Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman said, as at 15 September 2022, there were 107 housing rezoning proposals currently under assessment with potential for 87,583 rezoning lots.
 
“There were also nearly 10,000 residential development applications under assessment with the potential to deliver some 82,842 homes,” Ms Tuckerman said.
 
“The Unblocking Homes program will see the NSW Government partner with councils to resolve issues in complex assessments. This will help tackle the backlog and fast-track approvals to deliver more housing more quickly for our growing and diverse population – including social and affordable housing for people in need, Aboriginal communities and seniors.”
 
The $11.5 million Unblocking Homes Program includes 7 new and ongoing initiatives:

• Regional Housing Flying Squad (expansion following successful pilot);
• Planning proposal support and expert assessment for prioritised housing projects (new project);
• Planning Delivery Unit Regional Case Management and Planning Concierge;
• Regionally Significant DA capacity building and faster assessments;
• Local Housing Strategy Implementation;
• Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund; and
• Faster Local Assessment Grant.

 
For more information visit https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/unblocking-homes-program

The boating community on the mid-north coast will soon benefit from the completion of a major milestone in a $13 million project to transform maritime facilities at Coffs Harbour.

Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said the installation of a new travel lift would deliver a range of benefits for commercial and private vessels as well as the community.

“The installation of the travel lift enables 75-tonne vessels such as commercial fishing boats, cruisers and catamarans, to be lifted out of the water and maintained in an environmentally-controlled area which will minimise the risk of contaminants entering the waterway,” Mr Elliott said. 

“The $13 million Coffs Harbour Marine Precinct Project will deliver improved safety and accessibility for all boating enthusiasts and commercial vessels while reducing environmental impacts.

“The NSW Government’s commitment to invest in updating maritime infrastructure makes access to waterways easier and safer for all vessels and watercraft users. Modern, safe boating facilities encourages tourists which in turns delivers an economic stimulus to local communities.”

Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said he was pleased to announce the travel lift had been through final testing and commissioning and would be in operation this week.

“This new equipment will reduce the need for the use of heavy equipment as it can move larger vessels which makes servicing commercial and private boats safer and more efficient,” Mr Singh said.

“Two key projects, construction of a new boat maintenance facility, which now includes the travel lift, and the expansion of the government agency marina have already been delivered as part of the NSW Government’s $205 million Maritime Infrastructure Stimulus Program to improve and modernise maritime facilities.”

“Other key projects to be delivered in this program of works will include a new Maritime Operation Centre and the installation of an unleaded vessel refuelling facility for public and government agency use.”

The latest national data on apprentices and trainees shows the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s record investment in skills continues drive nation-leading results, with more than 115,000 apprentices and trainees in training across the State.
 
Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the National Centre for Vocational Education and Research (NCVER) report shows NSW recorded a 9.3 per cent increase in the number of apprentices and trainees in training, compared with the previous 12 month period.
 
“NSW is leading the nation when it comes to skills and training, with more people in training than any other state, ensuring that we continue to build a strong pipeline of skilled, job-ready workers to help grow our economy,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“One of today’s highlights is an almost 19 per cent increase in female apprentices and trainees in training across NSW, which is testament to programs like Built for Women, which are encouraging more women into traditional trades.
 
“Across the board, commencements and completions of apprenticeships and traineeships are also up, further strengthening the skilled workforce and helping keep unemployment at historic lows.
 
“The data also reveals that over the last two years, despite the challenges we’ve faced, NSW has recorded a 42 per cent increase in apprenticeship and traineeship commencements. For females alone, commencements are up 59 per cent.
 
“The NSW Government’s record $3.1 billion investment in skills and training in the Budget will further turbocharge the take-up of vocational education and training, securing a brighter future for people in NSW.”
 
The NSW Government is removing barriers to vocational education and training for young people through unprecedented investments in fee-free training as well as programs like the Educational Pathways Program and Careers NSW.
 
Reforms to the HSC and ATAR will also increase the take-up of vocational education and training, by significantly expanding the education and employment pathways available to young people.