Category: NSW News

Applications open today for a $30 million recovery package which supports repair works for arts and culture, sports and Aboriginal-owned community infrastructure damaged in the February-March flood event.
 
The eligible Local Government Areas are Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Hawkesbury, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed.
 
Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, said the majority of the works are being funded as part of the jointly-funded $150 million Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Package (CLIRP) announced in April.
 
“Community arts and cultural facilities and Aboriginal Keeping Places across New South Wales are a vital part of our cultural fabric. They are also an important part of our economy, supporting thousands of jobs across New South Wales,” Minister Watt said.
 
The New South Wales Government has separately committed an additional $12 million for the repair of sporting fields and facilities in the eight worst affected local government areas (LGAs) to get people in those communities back to their favourite sport or recreational activities.
 
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade and Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said these funds will ensure vital infrastructure will be rebuilt.
 
“Many of the places our communities rely on were hit hard by the devastating floods, rendering them unsafe or unusable, and this funding is intended to provide support to help those communities to rebuild their local infrastructure,” Mr Henskens said.
 
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and the Arts Ben Franklin said the funding is another important step towards helping flood-affected communities, including the State’s much-needed local arts and cultural industries and Local Aboriginal Land Councils, to get back on their feet.
 
“This continued commitment by the Australian and New South Wales governments recognises the importance of cultural infrastructure to the vitality of our communities and the wellbeing of those that live within them,” Mr Franklin said.
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said rebuilding community infrastructure is an important part of the recovery process.
 
“Repairing community infrastructure not only boosts local economies and jobs, it helps residents get back to a sense of normality, which is one of the most important parts of the flood recovery process,” Ms Cooke said.
 
The package includes:

• Up to $12 million in grants for councils ranging from $15,000 to $500,000 for community sport infrastructure projects;
• Up to $12 million in grants for eligible arts and cultural organisations, councils and regional arts development organisations ranging from $5,000 to $500,000; and
• $6 million for repairs to community infrastructure in the most impacted Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs), including $3.45 million in grants to support further repairs and rebuilds for LALCs and Aboriginal organisations.

 
More information on the funding streams and guidelines is available on the Office of Sport, Create NSW and Aboriginal Affairs NSW websites.

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews across the State are being trained to use state-of-the-art drone technology to assist in firefighting operations and other emergencies.
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) are being rolled out as part of a $5.4 million investment by the NSW Government.
 
“These drones are being deployed to 25 regional areas, giving FRNSW crews an eye in the sky to help them better fight fires and keep our communities safe,” Ms Cooke said.
 
“The drones are connected to FRNSW’s wireless and satellite communication networks, allowing images to be viewed and analysed in real time at the scene of an emergency which helps firefighters make quicker decisions and act faster.”
 
The RPAS are equipped with thermal imaging cameras and laser technology that can detect variable heat temperatures, identify people or animals under threat in a fire zone and measure the size of an area impacted by fire.
 
FRNSW Bushfire and Aviation Unit Commander Scott Donohoe said the drones can be activated at an emergency scene within minutes.
 
“The drones are stored in our vehicles and ready for immediate use, providing FRNSW commanders with aerial images that can help determine the safest and most effective places to position fire trucks and crews,” Superintendent Donohoe said.
 
“We are planning to have around 200 firefighters trained to pilot the drones. The available training over several tiers includes sessions on night flying, situational awareness, ‘live’ streaming, rapid mapping, aerial incendiary use and 3D panoramic skills.”
 
The drones can be used to assess bush fire risk, assist in hazard reduction operations and find people missing in dense bushland.  
 
The drones have already been deployed to the Northern Rivers region to assess flood-damaged infrastructure, identify hazardous materials and find leftover debris.

The NSW Government will invest $25 million in a ground-breaking female sport facility program that aims to get more women and girls playing sport.

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said the Community Female Friendly Sport Facilities and Lighting Upgrade Grants Program will see community sports facilities across NSW transformed into safer and more inclusive venues for females.

“This program will deliver female-friendly change rooms, amenities and lighting upgrades at grounds across the state to enable more women and girls to get involved in sport,” Mr Kean said.

“This is really important to us – that’s why the NSW Government committed $16.5 billion in the Budget over 10 years to supporting opportunities for women and children.”

Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said the program was a game changer for women’s sport in NSW.

“Women’s sport is going from strength to strength across our state and this program will provide safer, more inclusive community sports facilities that our female athletes need and deserve,” Mrs Taylor said.

“I am proud to be part of a government that is removing barriers and inspiring more women and young girls to get involved in sport.”

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said women’s sport is growing in popularity and this investment in community infrastructure and facilities will accelerate the number of girls and women playing sport.

“The recent Commonwealth Games highlighted the depth of talent in women’s sport. The upcoming FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup will see Sydney host the world’s best players in September and inspire the next generation of female athletes,” Mr Henskens said.

“By investing in our sport communities to help boost female participation, we will ensure any young girl or woman who wants to lace up a boot, pick up a ball or run around a track, will do so in a supportive environment.”

The Community Female Friendly Sport Facilities and Lighting Upgrades Grant Program will open in late 2022. Government and sporting organisations can register their interest in the program at: https://comms.sport.nsw.gov.au/female-friendly-sport-facilities-and-lighting-upgrades-ryi

Penrith and Blue Mountains communities will soon benefit from more pathology laboratories and services, with construction underway on a new, expanded pathology department as part of the $1 billion Nepean Hospital Redevelopment.
 
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the new pathology department was being fast tracked as part of Stage Two of the Nepean Hospital Redevelopment, which will provide the Penrith and Blue Mountains communities with access to world-class health services well into the future.
 
“The new pathology department will be in a larger, purpose-built facility and provide significantly expanded pathology services to meet the needs of the growing local communities and boost health outcomes in the region,” Mr Hazzard said.
 
Construction of the pathology department in a newly built facility in Building E (East Block) will include new laboratories, services, reception area and administration spaces, and is scheduled for completion in mid-2023.
 
Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres said after years of neglect and band-aid solutions by the former government we are finally getting the Nepean Hospital that patients, medical staff and our community deserve.
 
Construction of a new 14-storey clinical tower as part of Stage 1 is now complete, and floors are opening to patients and staff in stages this year.
 
Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies said she was very impressed with the transformation of the hospital campus, with more exciting changes to come.
 
“The new building being delivered as part of Stage 2 has been designed to seamlessly connect with the new hospital tower, which is already an impressive landmark in the Penrith skyline,” Mrs Davies said.
 
The next stage of the Nepean Hospital redevelopment includes a new intensive care unit, in-centre renal dialysis unit, medical imaging and nuclear medicine services, cardiology services, more beds, community health services and a front of house for the hospital.
 
Since 2011, the NSW Government has delivered more than 180 hospitals and health facilities across NSW, with more than 130 currently underway.
 
The NSW Government is investing $3 billion on health infrastructure, as part of a $11.9 billion investment over the next four years.

Public transport commuters across Sydney’s booming north-west are set to benefit from the newly completed Schofields Station commuter car park.
 
Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said the project had delivered 700 additional parking spaces for commuters as well as 15 new dedicated accessible parking spaces and six motorcycle bays.
 
“Car parks such as this one at Schofields not only helps make catching public transport even easier and more convenient for commuters but helps reduce congestion on the roads.
 
“The 305 spaces delivered today is excellent news for the growing number of residents in Schofields and surrounding suburbs, following completion of 395 new spaces last month.
 
“A total of 398 people worked 61,030 hours on the project, pouring 1100 square metres of concrete and laying 1574 tonnes of asphalt to deliver a modern, accessible car parking station. There was also 700 square metres of recycled mulch used and 99 earthmoving machines were put to work.
 
“Schofield commuters now have safe and reliable parking 24 hours a day to access public transport. This car park features CCTV coverage, lighting, fencing and wayfinding signage to help customers navigate the car park safely and additional facilities for motorcyclists and those who require accessible spaces,” Mr Elliott said.
 
The project was delivered as part of the NSW Government’s Commuter Car Park Program which provides more convenient access to public transport at key interchanges. The NSW Government has delivered more than 13,000 commuter car spaces across Sydney since 2011, with around 5000 additional spaces under development.
 
Member for Riverstone Kevin Conolly said the new commuter car park had been provided to cater for the growing population of the district.
 
“I’m pleased that we have been able to deliver 700 extra spaces for commuters at Schofields station,” Mr Conolly said.
 
“This will make life easier for those who travel by train to and from work every day.”
 
Transport Park&Ride boom gates are also planned for installation to free up more spaces for those who travel on public transport. The Opal card operated boom gates will provide parking for up to 18 hours when customers tap onto a connecting public transport journey.

The NSW Government is investing over $500,000 for security upgrades at more than 80 women’s refuges across NSW to protect women and children leaving domestic violence.
 
Attorney General Mark Speakman said he was pleased to allocate funding for the security upgrades from the NSW Government’s Crime Prevention Fund. 
 
Mr Speakman said upgrading security at refuges is crucial to ensuring women and children feel safe when they seek shelter in a refuge.
 
“Women accessing refuge services can be in the most desperate of circumstances, often fleeing the horror of domestic and family violence,” Mr Speakman said
 
“We need to have a high level of security in place to protect residents from possible threats from abusers and also ensure that these women and children feel safe.
 
“The security upgrades will include replacing external fluorescent emergency lighting with energy-efficient vandal-proof lights and the installation of additional external illumination in poorly lit areas, including front and back yards, pathways, garages and other outdoor structures.”
 
Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Natalie Ward said the upgrades provide another layer of security for women and children as they recover from trauma.
 
“Women should not have to fear what is lurking in the shadows, especially when they have made the difficult and complex decision to leave their homes to escape violence,” Mrs Ward said.
 
“Complete outdoor lighting especially at refuges has been proven to be a strong crime deterrent.
 
“Wherever you live in our state, you should be safe and you should feel safe.”

One of the largest harbour restoration projects of its kind in the world is set to commence in the iconic Sydney Harbour to reforest and restore marine habitats for penguins, seals, seahorses and turtles.
 
Minister for Environment James Griffin said a $9.1 million NSW Government initiative will help restore Sydney Harbour to bring back lost biodiversity, improve water quality and increase carbon storage.
 
“Celebrated Australian writer Clive James reminisced about our magnificent Sydney Harbour, likening it to ‘crushed diamond’, and we want to restore that same brilliance to the habitats that lie beneath the surface,” Mr Griffin said.
 
“Sydney Harbour is a modern, working harbour at the beating heart of our city, but the effects of urbanisation and industrial activity have resulted in the loss of marine habitats and the species that call them home.
 
“While Sydney’s water quality has significantly improved in recent decades, so much so that we all delight at sightings of whales and seals in the Harbour, there’s no better time to supercharge our restoration efforts.
 
“By installing hundreds of Living Seawall panels and replanting seagrasses and kelp forests in at least nine locations, we’ll be restoring critical habitat for marine life like the endangered White’s Seahorse, Little Penguins, Green Turtles and seals.
 
“The ocean is critical for marine and human life, providing every second breath we take. This harbour conservation and restoration project is one of biggest of its kind and demonstrates our commitment to improving our environment for generations to come.”
 
The NSW Government’s $9.1 million Seabirds to Seascapes project includes three elements:

• Restoring Sydney Harbour’s marine ecosystems by installing Living Seawalls, and replanting seagrass meadows and kelp forests
• Supporting the future of Little Penguins in NSW by conducting the first ever statewide Little Penguin census to better understand their population size and how they’re responding to threats such as climate change
• Helping Fur Seals thrive as a species by conducting a Seal Survey to identify their preferred habitat, breeding grounds, diet and key threats.

 
Seaweeds such as Crayweed provide critical habitat and food for marine life. They also act as underwater forests, capturing carbon and creating oxygen.
 
However, Crayweed completely disappeared from the Sydney metropolitan region from Palm Beach to Cronulla in the 1980s due to pollution, and has never returned.
 
Seabirds to Seascapes is being led by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, in partnership with experts from the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS), Taronga Conservation Society Australia and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
 
SIMS Chair Peter Cochrane said his ambition is that this project can be applied elsewhere.
 
“Urbanisation has converted more than 50 per cent of Sydney Harbour’s natural shoreline into built structures and introduced many environmental stressors that have degraded aquatic habitats,” Mr Cochrane said.
 
“Despite that, we’re fortunate that the foundations for habitat repair still exist and we have the world-class science to guide this project.”
 
More than 85 per cent of people in NSW live within 50 kilometres of the coast, and coastal tourism employs more than 142,000 or about 24 per cent of employees working in the coastal zone, so protecting the blue economy has never been more important.
 
The NSW Environmental Trust is granting $6.6 million to the project, with partners contributing a further $2.5 million in kind.
 
The Seabirds to Seascapes project builds upon existing management of threatened and protected marine species through the $184 million Marine Estate Management Strategy and the $175 million Saving Our Species program.
 
Find out more at environment.nsw.gov.au/seabirds-to-seascapes

NSW residents who want to get skilled for a first job, a new job or a better job will have more opportunities to access fee-free training, with the NSW Government extending funding through to the end of the 2022-23 financial year.

The joint NSW – Federal Government funded JobTrainer program, providing fee-free training in response to the impact of COVID-19, is due to end in December, but the NSW Government will step in to ensure more people can access training so they can get jobs in priority industries.

Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens announced the funding extension to mark the commencement of National Skills Week, which will remove barriers to training and help people get the skills they need for the jobs they want.

“We want people to get skilled, find in-demand jobs, grow the economy and deliver a brighter future for their families,” Mr Henskens said.

“When it comes to investing in skills and training, NSW has led the nation. Despite the Commonwealth’s funding for fee-free training ceasing at the end of this year, the NSW Government will extend funding for fee-free courses through to July 2023.

“The funding will target the in-demand industries such as community services, including aged care and disability support, hospitality, agriculture and digital technology.

“On top of our unprecedented investment in fee-free training, the NSW Government is also delivering revolutionary new programs and projects, such as our Institutes of Applied Technology and the New Education Training Model.”

Business NSW CEO Daniel Hunter welcomed the investment which will help train more workers for jobs in critical industries.

“The number one issue facing businesses right now is access to skilled workers. Every person that gets skilled up and into a job under this program is a success story for local communities and businesses across NSW,” Mr Hunter said.

For more information on eligibility and locations of the fee-free training courses across NSW including online, visit https://education.nsw.gov.au/skills-nsw. 

An ambitious and visionary plan to build over rail lines at Central will deliver a spectacular new public square and parkland, office space for the startups of the future, more diverse and affordable housing options as well as new city connections.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government’s vision for Central Station will utilise unused space over the current rail corridor to deliver a vibrant destination and provide much needed space for the expansion of the CBD.
 
“We have a once in a generation opportunity to reimagine this iconic part of our CBD and transform it into a world-class precinct of shops, restaurants, office spaces, parkland and additional housing,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“This proposal will be another major investment into the future of the Sydney CBD. Our vision will convert Central precinct into a must-visit part of our city for locals as well as for domestic and international tourists.
 
“It will be a major job generating project and will inject further local and global business investment into the Sydney CBD.
 
“The NSW Government’s ambitious plan for Central also focuses on further boosting housing supply, including prioritising much-needed affordable housing.”
 
Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes said the Central Precinct Renewal will extend the southern CBD and use our transport assets to shape almost 24 hectares of empty space into something magnificent. 
 
“The masterplan celebrates the heritage of the precinct while also offering a grand new public square, three new parks, new community, social services hubs as well as
at least 30 percent of affordable and diverse housing to better meet the needs of all sections of the community,” Mr Stokes said.
 
“This proposal will heal parts of our city that have been torn apart since the railway divided Surry Hills from Ultimo back in 1874. The proposal includes multiple new over-rail connections including Devonshire Street bridge, to enhance pedestrian and bicycle access through Central Precinct and to surrounding neighbourhoods.”
 
Key features of the indicative masterplan include:

• Around 850 new dwellings, including 15 per cent affordable housing and an additional target of 15 per cent diverse housing types such as build to rent and student dwellings.
• Around 15 new buildings ranging in size and scale from 4 to 34 storeys for a range of uses including tech and office space, hotel and residential, bars, restaurants and cafes, education, community and cultural uses.

 
More than 60,000 sq m, or just over six football fields of public domain including parks, squares, plazas including Central Square, Central Green and Mortuary Station Garden.
 
A rezoning package to enable the transformation of the Central precinct is now on public exhibition.
 
The community will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposal from August 22 to September 19. 
 
You can read more about the project here: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/central-precinct-renewal-program

A $65 million investment to bolster the NSW Government’s biosecurity measures will fast-track the development of  vaccines against Foot and Mouth (FMD) and Lumpy Skin Disease and help position NSW as leaders in the fight against exotic animal diseases.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the goal was to develop mRNA synthetic vaccines for both FMD and Lumpy Skin, a game changer for NSW farmers.

“Current FMD vaccines are made using the virus itself, meaning even vaccinated animals have to be destroyed for Australia to regain our FMD-free status following an outbreak,” Mr Toole said. 

“The development of a synthetic mRNA vaccine could be the key for Australia to apply for FMD-free status without having to destroy vaccinated animals, allowing us to preserve our trade status.

“Australia currently enjoys FMD-free status, giving us continued access to premium international markets for our world-class produce.

“The world is also yet to develop a killed or synthetic vaccine for Lumpy Skin, so having these two mRNA vaccines in our arsenal should these diseases reach our shores would give us a clear edge on the world stage.

“Our message is simple: We are doing everything we can to keep NSW free of FMD and Lumpy Skin Disease, but we are also preparing for the worst by investing $229 million this year alone – the biggest investment by a single jurisdiction on exotic pest and disease control.”

The new funding package includes $3.5 million to drive forward plans for a national mandatory sheep and goat electronic identification system.

The NSW Government is also committing $55.8 million for practical, on-ground biosecurity risk mitigation and response preparedness activities, including:

• $26.3 million to expand a trained response workforce of at least 2,000 experts;
• $17.8 million for on-ground animal control activities such as funding to control potential infected premises, increasing culling of feral pigs and deer, and incentivising farmers to beef up their biosecurity plans;
• $9.7 million to enhance disease surveillance through new intelligent track and trace technology; and,
• $2 million to roll out targeted extension and awareness campaigns to educate livestock owners, handlers, and the community on clinical signs and reporting requirements, as well as how to reduce risks. 

Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said the preparedness package addresses the devastating impacts an incursion of FMD – or any other exotic animal disease – would have on NSW and Australia. 

“This funding will immediately boost our ability to make an early detection of an exotic pest or disease in NSW, deploy cutting edge technology to survey and diagnose diseases and train a response ready workforce to manage a significant outbreak,” Mr Saunders said.  

“We need to be prepared to fight and eradicate any exotic pest and disease that arrives on our shores, and this investment means we will have the right army and technology ready to do just that.   

“Our farmers deserve to have the confidence to know that if we have an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease, we will be quick to respond, well prepared and ready to return to export markets faster. 

“We have been meeting with farmers, livestock agents and agricultural experts right across NSW who have said measures like these would play an instrumental role in building confidence amongst the sector that the government is equipped and ready for the fight.  

“Today, through this announcement, we reinforce our commitment that we will do whatever it takes to keep our world-class agricultural sector safe.”  

For more information on today’s announcement and a breakdown of the funding, visit https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/animals-and-livestock/beef-cattle/health-and-disease/viral-diseases/fmd