Category: NSW News

Rural Fire Brigades in the Blue Mountains are benefitting from the delivery of three new appliances, worth a combined $1.1 million, ahead of the official Bush Fire Danger Period beginning on 1 October.
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke joined Rural Fire Service (RFS) staff and volunteers at Katoomba today to hand over the keys to Category 1 tankers for the Blaxland, Hazelbrook and Lawson Brigades.
 
“Each of these appliances, worth $385,000, will assist our volunteers in providing an even greater level of fire protection to the local community,” Ms Cooke said.
 
“The Blaxland, Hazelbrook and Lawson Brigades are very active and do a wonderful job protecting people and property in one of our State’s most bush fire prone areas, as well as responding to building fires, vehicle accidents, and storm and flood responses.
 
“I am confident the new state-of-the-art appliances will prove to be invaluable assets, ensuring volunteers have access to modern firefighting technology when responding to fires and other incidents.”
 
RFS Acting District Manager, Inspector Rob Vinzenz, said the efforts of volunteers do not go unnoticed and the new Category 1 tankers will support their work.
 
“The men and women of the RFS remain on-hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we should be extremely proud and grateful for their contribution,” Inspector Vinzenz said.
 
Since the 2019-20 Black Summer bush fires, the NSW Government has funded more than 400 fire trucks for RFS Brigades across the State.

From Woolgoolga to Murrumbateman, and everywhere in between, cricket fans in regional NSW will kick off the countdown to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with the help of a ‘biggest hit’ virtual reality experience.
 
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the T20 World Cup Regional Roadshow will make 11 stops over the next month and include a range of interactive activities and displays, plus a number of prizes will be up for grabs.
 
“The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is the pinnacle of the sport’s most exciting format and the Regional Roadshow gives cricket fans across the State the chance to experience the buzz of the tournament first-hand,” Mr Toole said.
 
“This is about giving cricket fans in the bush a taste of the action. With Sydney hosting six World Cup matches including a semi-final, the Regional Roadshow brings the action to  fans   who mightn’t otherwise be able to travel to matches and gives students a chance to get involved during the school holidays.”
 
Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the Regional Roadshow will start by taking the T20 World Cup silverware to northern NSW, and is an example of the benefits of the NSW Government’s 10 World Cups in 10 Years initiative.
 
“Regional NSW is the heartland of cricket in our State, and the Regional Roadshow has hit the sweet spot by providing entertainment and inspiration for bush cricket fans across NSW ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“Despite having a smaller population than Sydney, regional NSW accounts for around half of the state’s registered players, more than 250 adolescent cricketers in the Cricket NSW pathway system, and produces over 50 per cent of NSW’s contracted professional cricketers.”
 
With less than a month to go until the first game of the tournament, the Regional Roadshow was launched to cricket fans at Curryfest in Woolgoolga today.
 
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said with 16 national teams competing, the T20 World Cup would bring communities and cultures together through sport.
 
“Sport has the power to unite communities, and the T20 World Cup will bring fans from many cultural backgrounds together in a celebration of sport,” Mr Singh said.
 
“What better place to launch the Regional Roadshow and celebrate the amazing communities that make up the tournament than here at Curryfest.”
 
More information on the T20 World Cup can be found online.

Around 700 homes are expected to go under the hammer on Super Saturday today as first home buyers will soon be able to choose between paying upfront stamp duty or a smaller annual property fee.
 
First Home Buyer Choice, which was announced in the 2022-23 NSW Budget as part of the Government’s integrated $2.8 billion housing package, is scheduled to start in January.
 
On the busiest auction day of the year, NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said eliminating the upfront cost of stamp duty can help first home buyers shave years off the time it takes to save a deposit.
 
“This is all about giving first home buyers the power to choose an alternative to upfront stamp duty,” Mr Kean said.
 
“We want to remove one of the barriers to entering the property market and help first home buyers realise the great Australian dream of home ownership sooner.”
Under the First Home Buyer Choice, eligible first home buyers will have the choice of a traditional upfront payment or a smaller annual property fee for properties with a purchase price of up to $1.5 million.
 
Around 84 per cent of residential property transactions across NSW are below the $1.5 million threshold. 
 
First home buyers who opt into the property tax will pay an annual fee of $400 plus 0.3 per cent of the land value of the property for the time they occupy the property as their principal place of residence. The property will not be locked into the scheme if it is sold.
 
Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said the stamp duty reform for first home buyers is part of a broader $2.8 billion housing package announced in the NSW Budget.
 
“The NSW Government is also looking at different ways we can boost housing supply,” Mr Roberts said.
 
“We will leave no stone unturned when it comes to initiatives that will help more people in NSW enter the market and own their own home.” 
 
First Home Buyer grants, duty exemptions and concessions will continue alongside the stamp duty option.
 
In the year to 31 July, 2022, the NSW Government assisted first home buyers with $566,730,403 in grants, duty exemptions and concessions.
 
The top 20 suburbs according to benefits received:
 

1. Schofields
2. Liverpool
3. Wentworthville
4. North Kellyville
5. Box Hill
6. Parramatta
7. Austral
8. Mount Druitt
9. Campbelltown
10. Homebush
11. Wollongong
12. Blacktown
13. Penrith
14. Googong
15. Kogarah
16. Lidcombe
17. Gobbagombalin
18. Bankstown
19. Gosford
20. Kingswood   

A new $2.5 million aerial pumper has arrived at St Andrews Fire Station, one of 11 state-of-the-art fire trucks being rolled out across NSW.
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke was joined by Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Acting Commissioner Megan Stiffler to hand over the keys to the specialist Compressed Aerial Pumper (CAP).
 
“It’s important that our firefighters can keep up with the rapidly growing South Western Sydney skyline,” Ms Cooke said.
 
“This state-of-the-art appliance is equipped with a compressed air foam system and 2,000 litre water tank. Its ladder can extend 10 metres further than the old appliance, with a vertical reach of 24.5 metres and load bearing capacity of 330 kilograms.
 
“Stationing this truck at St Andrews increases the capability of our firefighters during large-scale fires such as those in shopping centres, industrial complexes and multi-storey residential buildings. It will also be used to undertake rescues and other non-fire operations including evacuations.”
 
The appliance is fitted with an intelligence-gathering thermal imaging camera which detects heat signals and transmits images from the scene of an emergency to critical locations like the FRNSW Command Centre.
 
Acting Commissioner Stiffler said the aerial fleet is being delivered to FRNSW as a result of a $37 million Budget commitment which ensures firefighters have the best tools to do their work and protect the irreplaceable.
 
“We are always on the lookout for new equipment and technologies to help our crews adapt to the changing needs of the communities they serve,” Acting Commissioner Stiffler said.
 
“The addition of the CAPs to the FRNSW fleet allows firefighters to quickly reach the scenes of multi-storey blazes and extinguish them more efficiently and effectively.”
 
FRNSW now boasts 25 aerial appliances in operation across NSW.
 

World-leading child health researchers have been tasked with looking at the mental health and wellbeing of NSW primary school students and helping to create innovative social and emotional support measures for our youngest learners.   
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet says the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute will undertake the work and propose a suite of new social and wellbeing initiatives. 
   
“The unprecedented challenges of the past few years have certainly been tough and we’ve heard from teachers and parents right across our state how they’ve noticed an impact on student capacity to focus, social interactions and general happiness,” Mr Perrottet said.   
 
“This research is vital to find the best ways of providing support in our schools. We’re already reforming curriculums to give students the best educational start in life and wellbeing is another important component to help set them up for success.”  
 
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said when it comes to student wellbeing, early identification and prevention is key.       
 
“The NSW Government has invested significantly in health and wellbeing support, services and personnel in our high schools over the last few years, and we want that same high calibre of support in our primary schools,” Ms Mitchell said.   
 
“We need to think holistically, whether that’s introducing student support officers into every primary school or helping schools make better choices about the wellbeing programs they offer to their students – there are endless possibilities.    
 
“The work the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute will be ground-breaking, and will help deliver a tool and evidence-base for us to choose between those possibilities, and support our schools, and our kids, in the best possible way.”   
 
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor echoed the importance of prevention in the wellbeing of young people.   
 
“This partnership will complement the NSW Government’s successful School Wellbeing Nurses Program and create a web of support around our students – ensuring they have the support and resources they need no matter their age or where they live,” Mrs Taylor said.   
 
The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute’s work will be completed by February 2023.  
 
“We know how important it is to have a variety of supports for our children– one size doesn’t fit all,” said Sharon Goldfeld, Professor at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.   
 
“We’re excited to work with the NSW Government to support schools and kids right across NSW.” 
 
Since 2015, the NSW Government has invested more than $290 million to provide mental health and wellbeing professionals and services in NSW public schools, along with a series of programs to connect students and families with support in their community.
 

NSW small and medium hospitality operators can now claim the State Government’s $5,000 Alfresco Restart rebate, enabling them to create or expand their outdoor dining offerings.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the rebate would reinvigorate communities and change the way customers dine.
“After a cold winter and now that spring is here, the NSW Government’s broader $66 million Alfresco Restart package is helping to boost local hospitality and ensure customers can enjoy new outdoor dining experiences at some of their favourite venues,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Whether you’re a café in Western Sydney, a restaurant on the Northern Beaches or a pub on the Central Coast, this is about giving businesses and customers more choice and convenience.”

Examples of eligible expenses include generators, heaters, fans and misters, installation of outdoor power points and weather protection for shade and rain, including umbrellas.

Small and medium hospitality operators have from now until 30 September 2022 to claim their one-off Alfresco Restart rebate of up to $5,000, which is available to the first 5,000 eligible businesses to register.

Minister for Small Business Victor Dominello said there are still around 900 rebates available for businesses to register and claim for.

“This program will help businesses to bounce back from two years of interruption caused by the pandemic by reducing the cost of dining transformation,” Mr Dominello said.

“It is great to see so many businesses having already registered for the rebate program but there is still space available for more looking to go alfresco.”

The rebate is being delivered by Service NSW. Businesses must first register on the Service NSW website to confirm their eligibility. Customers will need a MyServiceNSW Account, proof of identity and a valid ABN to register.

Businesses considering kerbside dining but looking for additional support on how to do so can reach out to a Service NSW Business Concierge for guidance.

Hospitality businesses can also access free tailored business advice on how to find new customers, improve their digital presence, manage cash flow and pricing strategies by contacting Business Connect.

Minister for Hospitality and Racing Kevin Anderson said alfresco dining has been such a success that its temporary measures have been extended for a further 18 months to further support the hospitality industry.

“The temporary alfresco dining measures has largely been in the CBD, which has been great, but we would love to see more regional venues take up this opportunity and consider permanent options that reflect the community’s desire to dine outdoors year-round,” Mr Anderson said.

Customers can speak to the Business Concierge and Business Connect teams by calling 13 77 88 or can get more information on these services by visiting https://www.nsw.gov.au/working-and-business/business-advice-and-support.

The program follows other measures from the NSW Government designed to boost outdoor dining. Another initiative is fast tracking approvals for venues wishing to extend their liquor licence boundary to include new outdoor dining spaces.

The Health Care Complaints Commission can now order unsafe health practices to immediately cease operating under significant changes aimed at better protecting patients.
 
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said that changes to the Public Health Regulation means a prohibition order can be issued for a breach of a new code of conduct that applies to health practices offering services such as massage therapy, naturopathy, osteopathy, chiropractic and other alternative health care.
 
“These changes enable the HCCC to use their powers to prohibit health organisations from operating where they pose a risk to the health or safety of the public,” Mr Hazzard said.
 
“This is an important, additional step that enables the HCCC to take firm action to protect the community from health organisations which flout the rules and do not provide services in a safe and ethical way.”
 
It does not include public health organisations, aged care services, and licenced private health facilities, as they are already governed by other legislation that ensures quality assurance, and as such the HCCC is not responsible for taking action against these entities. 
 
This new code of conduct builds on the existing code of conduct for non-registered health practitioners and requires that health organisations:

• Provide health services in a safe and ethical way
• Have precautions for infection control
• Ensure their employees conduct themselves appropriately in relation to treatment advice, including not dissuading a patient to see another health service
• Do not financially exploit clients
• Do not misinform patients
• Keep client health information confidential
• Safely secure and supply medicines
• Display the code of conduct on their premises.

 
For more information about the new code of conduct, please visit the NSW Health website.

Bush fire-battling capability across NSW is set for a major boost with 18 new Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) state-of-the-art tankers rolling out across the State ahead of peak danger season.
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the trucks are funded through the NSW Government’s response to the independent Bushfire Inquiry.
 
“Replacing Fire and Rescue’s existing 22-year-old fleet of bush fire tankers is a priority for the NSW Government, which is why we committed a further $9 million in this year’s Budget to take the total number of new appliances to 34,” Ms Cooke said.
 
“The trucks have been locally assembled by Isuzu and are currently being fitted out with equipment before being deployed to some of the State’s most at-risk locations.
 
“They will enable our firefighters to access bush fires in difficult terrain as well as be used for building fires, rescues and other emergency incidents.”
 
Each $530,000 multi-purpose four-wheel-drive truck features a water spray system to protect the crew, a compressed air foam system and a 3,500-litre water tank.
 
FRNSW Acting Commissioner Megan Stiffler said the new appliances will help firefighters where they are needed most.
 
“We welcome these new trucks as they will provide our firefighters with the best possible equipment and technology to protect life and property,” Acting Commissioner Stiffler said.
 
“The fleet of modern, advanced and environmentally-friendly appliances will also ensure our firefighters are safe while undertaking their vital role in the community.”
 
A total of $80 million has been provided to FRNSW in response to the Bushfire Inquiry’s 76 recommendations.

The NSW Government is doubling family and domestic violence leave provisions for all NSW public sector workers with staff able to access 20 days of paid leave per calendar year from 1 January 2023.

The same paid leave provisions will also be provided to casual employees, while access to existing carers leave will be also extended to all employees providing support to a family or household member who is a victim-survivor of domestic violence.

The enhanced arrangements will apply across the NSW public sector and were developed after discussion with unions, Government employers and family and domestic violence policy experts.

Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Natalie Ward said the increase of family and domestic violence leave was a key priority of the Perrottet Government.

“As the largest employer in NSW, it is our Government’s responsibility to provide workers with the support and security to take time away from work to take the necessary steps to find safety for themselves and their family,” Mrs Ward said.

“That is why we have made this commitment to double the amount of paid family and domestic violence leave available to all public sector employees from 10 to 20 days, to give our workers greater support at a time when they need it most.

“Everyone has the right to be safe both at home and in the workplace, which is why we have made addressing the issue of women’s safety and the prevention of domestic and family violence a priority with record funding to increase support across the sector.”

Minister for Employee Relations Damien Tudehope said the new leave provisions build on other family and safety oriented measures the NSW Government had already put in place for all public sector workers.

“NSW was the first Australian jurisdiction to include specific provisions for family and domestic violence leave in enterprise agreements and awards for its public sector employees and once again we will be leading the way with comprehensive leave provisions to support victim-survivors seeking safety and care,” Mr Tudehope said.

“This new leave provison is the latest in a raft of improvements our government has put in place to improve work environments for NSW public sector workers and sets the standard for other jurisdictions and the private sector to follow.

“Already our Government has enacted nation-leading measures to ensure families, women and children are front of mind in the public sector, including new parental leave policies, and leave in the event of a miscarriage.

Leave is available to NSW Government employees who give birth to a pre-term child (prior to 37 weeks). The parent with the caring responsibility is entitled to paid special pre-term parental leave from the date of birth of the child (or children from a multiple birth) up to the end of 36 weeks.

In the 2022-23 NSW Budget, the NSW Government announced new paid parental leave arrangements for public sector workers in which there will be no distinction between ‘primary’ or ‘secondary’ carer, with both parents entitled to 14 weeks of paid parental leave and an additional 2 weeks leave where leave is more equally shared between parents. 

As part of the Budget, the NSW Government also announced five days of paid fertility treatment leave for public sector workers.

The improved family and domestic violence leave entitlement builds on the NSW Government’s record $687 million investment in 2021/22 for a range of for Women’s Safety initiatives, as well as a further $100 million in the 2022/23 Budget.

The NSW Domestic Violence Line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 1800 656 463 to explain services and support available. The 1800RESPECT online chat service is available as an alternative to calling.
Information about other services and support is available on the Department of Communities and Justice website.

More plastic will be recycled and turned into new products in NSW thanks to $9 million funding to support businesses transform their operations and access the latest plastic recycling technology.
 
Minister for the Environment James Griffin said the new Circular Plastics Program, part of the Circular Materials Fund, is all about boosting the circular economy for plastics in NSW.
 
“This program is a game changer for our State because it means we’ll be reducing the amount of plastic going to landfill, and turning it into a valuable resource instead,” Mr Griffin said.
 
“At the moment, NSW produces about 800,000 tonnes of plastic waste every year, and about 10 per cent is recycled. That figure should be much higher and I want to see plastic being repurposed and reused as many times as possible, rather than ending up in landfill or the environment.
 
“Through this $9 million program, we’re giving eligible businesses the support they need to recycle and reuse more plastic when making new products.
 
“This is business and government working together to create a cleaner future, and generate new market demand and value for recycled plastic.” 
 
The Circular Plastics Program is part of the NSW Government’s target to triple the plastics recycling rate by 2030 and will be delivered by the NSW Environment Protection Authority.
 
The matched funding will support small and medium businesses that may otherwise be challenged by initial capital costs involved in creating circularity in their business.
 
The program is part of the NSW Government’s $356 million Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041, and the NSW Plastics Action Plan.
 
More information is available here https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/working-together/grants/infrastructure-fund/circular-plastics-program. Expressions of interest close 17 November 2022.