Category: NSW News

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) is adopting the new Australian Warning System as the official Storm Season begins, with an increased risk of damaging weather in the months ahead.
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said while storms and floods are experienced year-round, the highest period of danger stretches from the beginning of October to the end of March.
 
“With Storm Season now upon us, there’s no reprieve for New South Wales communities and the SES, which has been engaged in operations in some parts of the State for almost 12 months,” Ms Cooke said.
 
“The annual increased frequency of storms, strong winds and rain will coincide with a third consecutive La Nina, which means communities right across the State will remain on high alert. 
 
“News of more rain and wild weather is hard to hear, particularly for our flood-fatigued communities in the Northern Rivers, Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley and Western NSW, but it’s important that we’re not complacent.
 
“For the first time the SES is rolling out an updated warning system, which will deliver more localised and targeted communication of risks, and clearer warnings about the action people need to take to stay safe.”
 
The new Australian Warning System includes the following three tiers of warnings:

1. Advice;
2. Watch and Act; and
3. Emergency Warning.

 
Warnings during storms and flood events will continue to be distributed through text message alerts, the SES website, SES social media channels, ABC radio stations and media outlets.
 
SES Commissioner Carlene York said volunteers have experienced their busiest year on record, responding to more than 50,000 flood and storm jobs in the 12 months to June 2022.
 
“It’s been an extraordinarily wet year and SES volunteers have been operational somewhere across the State every single day of 2022,” Commissioner York said. 
 
“We are heading into a period where there is a greater chance of storms and floods, and it’s essential to take simple steps now like preparing an emergency evacuation kit in case you need to evacuate your home.
 
“Making safe decisions including evacuating when you are told and not driving through flooded roads and causeways will help protect yourself and your family this Storm Season.”
 
The NSW Government is supporting the SES with a $132.7 million Budget investment in facilities, hiring new staff, acquiring more resources and restructuring the agency’s operations.

A new Potts Point apartment block will provide more affordable housing for people in need in Sydney as part of the NSW Government’s $1.1 billion Social and Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF).
 
Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Services Natasha Maclaren-Jones said the 15-unit block will help ease housing pressures for people at risk of homelessness in Inner Sydney.
 
“Partnering with non-government organisations to deliver social and affordable housing is the key to unlocking a range of services which allow people greater access to secure housing and at the same time helps them live more independently,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
 
“We are not just building houses, we are working closely with residents to help them stay in their homes. Greater access to housing and supports pave the way for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to secure a brighter future.”
 
The 15 new dwellings, delivered in partnership with community housing provdider St George Community Housing (SGCH), consist of five studios, eight one-bedroom units and two two-bedroom units.
 
SGCH Group CEO Scott Langford said these well located homes provide a springboard for opportunity and supports the key workers who keep our city running.
 
“Too often it’s key workers who are driven further away from where they work and study and out of their communities because they struggle to afford private market rental on low to moderate incomes,” Mr Langford said.  
 
“SGCH is proud to be working in partnership with the NSW Government, and others, to bring the capital and capability together to deliver more homes to meet the demand for social and affordable housing in Greater Sydney. 
 
“These new homes are energy efficient and will also help our customers by lowering energy bills and environmental impacts.”
 
The inner-city development offers close proximity to shops, transport and health services,.
 
It is a modern energy efficient building with a 7.7-star rating under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme, and includes common area space on the ground floor and a bike storage room.
 
SGCH plans to include some of the dwellings from this site as part of its 561 property pipeline under the NSW Government’s SAHF program, which has already delivered 426 new homes.
 
The SAHF is a key initiative of Future Directions of Social Housing in NSW and is on track to deliver 3,486 homes across NSW.
 
More information about SAHF is available at this link: https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/about/reforms/future-directions/initiatives/SAHF/program-update

NSW Fair Trading has taken swift action to investigate and issue eBay with multiple Penalty Infringement Notices as a result of NRL Grand Final tickets appearing on the platform in breach of NSW ticket scalping laws.  

NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann said “To protect consumers, NSW laws require advertisements for the resale of tickets to specify the original cost of the ticket and a resale price that is no more than 10 per cent above the original cost.

“Fair Trading attended the offices of eBay in Sydney and issued a number of penalty notices for tickets being advertised contrary to regulations.

“NSW Fair Trading is actively monitoring other platforms where Grand Final tickets may be re-sold and will take similar actions where tickets are being sold contrary to NSW laws.

“Under the Fair Trading Act, corporations found breaching ticket reselling laws can be fined up to $110,000, while individuals can be fined up to $22,000.  

“Earlier this month, I published a public warning about the risks of ticket scalping at major events like the NRL Grand Final. If you have seen advertisements in breach of the ticket scalping laws please contact NSW Fair Trading on 13 32 20,” Ms Mann said.

Fair Trading’s investigation is ongoing.

For more information about consumer rights and ticket reselling visit www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/buying-products-and-services/buying-services/buying-tickets-and-ticket-reselling. 

The NSW Government is offering grants of up to $10 million for key infrastructure needed to progress new mining and processing projects to accelerate the critical minerals sector.

Stream Two of the NSW Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Activation Fund provides between $2 million and $10 million for key enabling infrastructure, such as heavy haulage modifications, road upgrades, water or power upgrades, and processing facilities, to help explorers and mining companies set up and operate in NSW.

Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for resources Paul Toole said the unprecedented investment would help secure an ongoing pipeline of critical minerals and high-tech metals into the future, positioning the State as a major global supplier.

“Critical minerals represent the future of mining in NSW and we are committed to supporting investment right across the board – from helping explorers make new discoveries and increasing processing capacity right through to the commercialisation of emerging technologies and applications,” Mr Toole said.

“The NSW Government announced in June it had allocated $130 million to activate the critical minerals and high-tech metals sector, setting NSW apart from all other jurisdictions.

“Applications for Stream One of the fund opened earlier this month, offering grants of up to $500,000 for important studies and research and development needed to kick-start early-stage projects. The grants we’re launching today support advanced projects by unlocking blockages through investment in strategic infrastructure.

“Enabling industry investment in critical minerals exploration and mining ensures our State is prepared for the increased worldwide demand, strengthens the future prosperity of NSW and provides a vital economic boost for regional economies.”

Critical minerals and high-tech metals include rare earths, cobalt, copper, antimony, and scandium, which are crucial to a range of current and future technologies, including defence, the manufacture of electric vehicles, solar panels, wind turbines, and more.

The Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Activation Fund follows the NSW Government’s Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy launched late last year.

For more information about the fund go to: www.regional.nsw.gov.au/activation-fund

The NSW Government has announced a groundbreaking new approach to reward teaching excellence and attract more people to the profession, drawing on best practice around the world.  
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said evidence published today in an issues paper on the Rewarding Excellence in Teaching program sets out a compelling case for change. 
 
“We want a modern education system that recognises and rewards excellence in our classrooms, strengthens the practice of all teachers, and makes the profession more attractive as a career,” Mr Perrottet said.  
 
“This program is not about NAPLAN results, performance pay or rewarding tenure. It is about identifying and recognising teachers who go above and beyond in their teaching practice, and want to support and inspire other teachers to do the same.” 
 
The issues paper identifies that:
 

• NSW classroom teachers have limited options to progress in their careers without taking on formal leadership roles outside of the classroom.
• Effective teachers are more likely to stay in the classroom if they have can gain career progression from the chalkboard, including significant salary increases
• Keeping highly effective teachers in the classroom is the single biggest factor in improving student outcomes.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the new approach will bring seismic long-term change to our education system. 

“We are not only looking at where initiatives like this have worked overseas, we’re also looking at past attempts closer to home to make sure that our Rewarding Excellence in Teaching program is world-class, stands the test of time, and makes the biggest impact where it’s needed – in the classroom,” Ms Mitchell said. 

“There are many options on the table regarding design and implementation of this ambitious reform – that’s why we’ll continue to hear from experts, teachers, principals, school leaders and all those involved in our school communities across the state.”

The paper looks at international models of rewarding excellence like Singapore and Washington D.C. as well as programs closer to home, such as those in Victoria and Western Australia, finding that many programs featured defined standards, specific roles, and higher salaries. 

Professor John Hattie, a world-leading expert on education outcomes and student learning who is providing independent expert advice on the reform, said initial consultation has been positive.  

“Conversations with stakeholders so far have been robust and constructive. I look forward to continuing these important discussions to ensure we keep the best teachers in NSW classrooms,” Professor Hattie said.   

The central aims of the program are to:  

• Create a more attractive career path for classroom teachers, while raising the status of the profession.     
• Leverage the skills of highly effective teachers to strengthen teaching practice across the public education system, for the benefit of all students.  

 
Once consultation is complete, a policy paper will be finalised before the program begins implementation in 2023. 
 
The issues paper is available at https://bit.ly/3r9UTQW. 

An $80 million commitment to support jobs connected to training in the social housing sector has now changed the lives of more than 300 people, with the first group of cadets graduating to become full-time housing support workers.
 
The new graduates will today be presented with their Certificate IV in Housing, after completing a cadetship run by the Community Housing Industry Association NSW (CHIA NSW) in partnership with the NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC).
 
Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said LAHC had partnered with industry bodies to assist in getting more people into work through the NSW Government’s $80 million Apprenticeship, Traineeship and Cadetship program.
 
“In 2020, we made a massive commitment through stimulus funding to support jobs connected to training in the housing sector by collaborating with industry bodies like CHIA, who have since created a $10 million Cadetship program” Mr Roberts said.
 
“Since then, we’ve seen the lives of more than 300 people changed – including the graduates of this program. Many of these graduates have had rough starts to their lives and around 75 per cent were unemployed before entering the program.”
 
Parliamentary Secretary for Planning Tanya Davies said the program, which focuses on providing opportunities for young people, those returning to the workforce, and those in need of housing assistance, provides a rewarding career pathway for graduates.
 
“Through this cadetship, graduates now have the opportunity to help deliver support services to tenants and the community in the social housing and homelessness sector,” Mrs Davies said.
 
“The power of their own lived experiences will be immeasurable in supporting families experiencing vulnerability.
 
“We celebrate them taking their first step in their career as fully qualified housing support workers.”
 
CHIA NSW Chief Executive Officer Mark Degotardi said he was proud of the students, who had embraced their opportunity to produce outstanding results.
 
“We can’t wait to see them explore their potential and develop their careers with community housing providers – an industry which values their newly developed skills,” Mr Degotardi said.
 
“We congratulate the NSW Government on this fantastic initiative.”
 
To read more about the NSW Government’s $80 million Apprenticeship, Traineeship and Cadetship program, visit: https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/land-and-housing-corporation/plans-and-policies/new-training-opportunities-connected-to-jobs

Private landholders are being supported to restore 200 hectares of koala habitat in the Northern Rivers through a new initiative that is planting 250,000 tree seedlings, backed by the NSW Koala Strategy.
 
Minister for Environment James Griffin said the landmark program is restoring koala habitat on private land, increasing biodiversity and providing an additional revenue stream for landholders through carbon farming.
 
“We know that more than 50 per cent of koala habitat is on private land in NSW, which is why private landholders are a big part of the solution when it comes to conserving and protecting koalas,” Mr Griffin said.
 
“Through the Koala Friendly Carbon Farming Project, we’re helping landholders plant hundreds of thousands of koala food and shelter trees to restore koala habitat and create corridors for them to move safely through areas.
 
“Landholders will be able to diversify their income through carbon farming, while creating new habitat for koalas and other native species on their properties.
 
“This is part of our NSW Koala Strategy, which delivers the biggest commitment by any government to a single species in Australia, and it will help us reach our target of doubling the number of koalas in NSW by 2050.”
 
The NSW Government is working in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature Australia, and Climate Friendly to deliver the project.
 
The project is working to kick-start carbon farming in koala habitats by developing carbon farming projects that deliver Australian Carbon Credit Units.
 
WWF-Australia Landscape Restoration Project Manager Tanya Pritchard said the project is addressing some of the major threats facing koalas.
 
“We can’t turn around the decline of east coast koalas without bold actions to tackle habitat loss and fragmentation,” Ms Pritchard said.
 
“This project provides incentives for landowners to be part of the solution and will help us to restore and connect large areas of koala habitat.”
 
Climate Friendly Co-CEO Skye Glenday said the initiative demonstrates how rural land managers can sustainably manage their environment while benefiting native species.
 
“Our partnership with landowners, WWF-Australia and the NSW Government will replenish important feeding and safe living areas for koalas and potentially attract other wildlife such as greater gliders, while building biodiversity and flood impact mitigation,” Ms Glenday said.
 
“The new trees will also provide benefits in capturing carbon to help Australia meet its greenhouse gas emissions targets.”
 
The NSW Koala Strategy is backed by more than $190 million and delivers a range of targeted conservation actions to secure more habitat, support community conservation, address threats to koala safety and health, and utilise science and research to build our knowledge.
 
Landholders can apply for a property assessment to determine if there are koalas close by and if their land is suitable.
 
For more information, visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au/koala.

Summer sport registrations are officially open and families are being encouraged to take advantage of the State’s enormously successful Active Kids Voucher program, so children can get back to playing sport without breaking the family budget.
 
Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said there is an exciting summer ahead and families are being reminded to use these excellent NSW Government cost-saving measures.
 
“Getting kids out of the house to be active is vitally important for health and wellbeing. Signing your child up for sports allows for them to make new friends, learn important skills and stay healthy,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“Whether it’s, tennis, dance, cricket or nippers there are over 11,000 Active Kids providers across the State, so now is the perfect time to download your voucher and register your child in their favourite sport or active recreation activity.”
 
School-enrolled children in NSW can access two $100 Active Kids vouchers each year towards the cost of sport and active recreation fees.
 
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said NSW families have embraced the Active Kids program, and is one of more than 70 Government savings to help ease cost of living and boost household budgets.
 
“We are improving the application and redemption process for parents and providers, with a digital version of the voucher on the Service NSW app now available,” Mr Dominello said.
 
“Active Kids has been an overwhelming success, with almost 100 per cent of parents giving it the thumbs up.”
 
Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germon said the program offered greater opportunities for kids to play sport.
 
“Our Cricket NSW purpose is to inspire everyone to play and love cricket and the Active Kids Voucher program makes it easier for families to do that,” Mr Germon said.
 
“Anything we can do to provide greater access to the game is a positive, particularly in that 5-12 year old age group that we are focused on, so our thanks go to the NSW Government for this program.”
 
More information about Active Kids is available online.

NSW drivers are being urged to use the FuelCheck app to find a cheaper servo and save up to $10 a tank as the fuel excise discount ends on Wednesday.
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said the app can save drivers up to $800 a year and is just one of the measures contributing to the almost $7 billion delivered in cost of living savings to NSW residents since July 2017.
 
“Prices can vary greatly between petrol stations so if you’re filling up a 50L tank and there’s a 20 cent difference between service stations, you’d save $10 by filling up at the cheaper one,” Mr Kean said.
 
“Driving a couple of hundred metres down the road to a cheaper servo can really pay off and boost your budget.
 
“New data from the past six months shows independents consistently offer drivers the cheapest fuel.”
 
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said Sydney’s cheapest petrol is often found in the western and southwestern suburbs.
 
“FuelCheck has been an overwhelming success, with more than 2.2 million drivers downloading the free app, and 93 per cent giving it the thumbs up,” Mr Dominello said.
 
“With high petrol prices right now, drivers can find the cheapest fuel anywhere in NSW in real-time in the palm of their hand.
 
“Do yourself a favour these school holidays and get the app. You could save up to $800 a year by using it regularly.”

The state’s top university graduates will be the target of a bespoke program designed to attract high achievers into teaching careers in high demand areas across NSW.  

Premier Dominic Perrottet said Teach for Australia, which has a successful track record in other states, has created a unique model for our public schools.  

“The modern workforce has changed but pathways into the teaching profession have become more siloed, with students spending most of their time at university and unable to earn an income until they complete their placements,” Mr Perrottet said. 

“We want to attract the best candidates to our classrooms and this model actively seeks out the best graduates and helps them make the jump into teaching.” 

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said a particular focus of the program is mid-career professionals, who, once they have completed intensive Masters units, will be supported to work in a school while they complete their study. 

“Not only do tailored mid-career programs ease the burden of months of unpaid leave, they also provide future teachers with instrumental experience in the classroom – which teachers constantly tell us is where their most valuable learning takes place,” Ms Mitchell said. 

“This is not about cutting corners; it’s about rethinking the way we do teacher training to ensure future teachers have the hands-on experience they need to build their confidence and improve their practice.” 

Under the NSW Teach for Australia pathway, participants complete their Master of Teaching degree at Australian Catholic University while they are employed in a school. They receive holistic coaching, mentoring and classroom observations to provide teaching students with a continuous cycle of feedback and improvement.    

As part of the program, Principals will also have greater say in how the model is implemented in their school to ensure it meets the needs of a diverse range of school contexts.  

Under the partnership, a pilot cohort will be recruited next year commencing in NSW public schools in 2024.