Category: NSW News

The Illawarra Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) has attracted $43 billion worth of potential investments in response to a call for expressions of interest for large-scale energy and green manufacturing projects. 

Minister for Energy Matt Kean said 44 projects were registered – including offshore and onshore wind, solar, energy storage, pumped hydro, green hydrogen and green steel – potentially delivering 17 gigawatts of generation and storage capacity.  

“The response has been tremendous, with particularly strong interest in offshore wind, energy storage technologies and green hydrogen,” Mr Kean said.  

“The Illawarra REZ will help deliver cheap and reliable energy, power existing industries, support emerging industries to thrive and create thousands of new jobs in the future.”

Registered industry interest includes: 

• More than $35 billion in potential investment from 10 wind generation projects, with 8 located offshore, totalling 12.9 gigawatts of generation capacity; 
• 5 solar projects; 
• 16 energy storage projects including 11 batteries; 
• 4 pumped hydro projects; 
• 4 hydrogen production and two hydrogen electricity generation projects; and 
• 3 new load projects including green steel manufacturing. 

“This highlights the variety of large-scale energy projects being developed in the region, that will ensure the Illawarra plays a role as the powerhouse of the renewable energy economy,” Mr Kean said.

“The Illawarra has a proud history of manufacturing and the REZ will only build on this legacy, with ROI projects including emerging manufacturing industries such as green steel production.” 

The information provided through the ROI will be used by the Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo) to inform the timing, capacity, design and location of the Illawarra REZ and is the first step in engaging with industry on its design.

EnergyCo will be engaging closely with industry, local government, local communities and other stakeholders as it progresses the design and delivery of the REZ. 

The Illawarra REZ is expected to be formally declared under the NSW Government’s Electricity Roadmap legislation by the end of 2022. 

A new nation-leading policy to help NSW reach net zero emission targets and deliver more comfortable and energy-efficient homes and buildings has been released today.

Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean said this new Sustainable Buildings State Environmental Planning Policy sets new standards and is expected to reduce household energy bills, and ensure homes are naturally cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

“These new standards will drive more energy-efficient homes from Bondi to Broken Hill and beyond, with better design, better insulation and more sunlight,” Mr Kean said.

“People living in new high-rise apartments in suburban Sydney will save up to $150 a year, new Western Sydney homeowners will see a reduction of $720 a year, and our regional communities as much as $970 a year.

“NSW is also raising the bar with this first-of-its-kind policy in energy efficiency and sustainability for new offices and hotels. These updated standards will keep operating costs down for owners and tenants, and give them the assurance they got what they paid for.

“The policy will enable the NSW Government to collect critical data about building performance and greenhouse gas emissions. This will inform future benchmarks and ensure NSW keeps pace with the national trajectory for low-energy buildings.”

Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said the new SEPP sets standards for energy, water and thermal performance in new homes, and establishes provisions to create more sustainable non-residential buildings.      

“We recognise the importance of good design and sustainability in planning, that’s why we are progressing updates to our online Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) tool and introducing sustainability requirements for new commercial buildings,” Mr Roberts said.

“We need to ensure the places we live, work and stay in are more comfortable – all while we save people money on their power bills and contribute to our net zero target.”

Mr Roberts said the policy incorporates increased energy and thermal performance standards, and the introduction of a new index within BASIX to measure the greenhouse gas emissions produced in manufacturing residential building materials.

“It also introduces new energy and water standards for large commercial buildings, and requires these developments to demonstrate they are net-zero ready,” he said.

“We want to drive down emissions, saving around 260,000 tonnes a year of CO2 and helping reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
For more information, visit: www.planning.nsw.gov.au/sustainable-buildings-sepp

Communities and businesses across Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra are well on their way to securing an enduring, sustainable and resilient water supply after the NSW Government launched the Greater Sydney Water Strategy (GSWS) today.
 
Minister for Lands and Water, Kevin Anderson said the GSWS is a new approach to water security planning, that will support economic prosperity and underpin the growth, liveability and quality of life of the city.
 
“This is an unprecedented 20-year strategy designed to tackle the region’s water challenges – including droughts and a growing population – using the best possible mix of innovative water solutions,” Mr Anderson said.
 
“The GSWS is about being resilient, especially in the face of a more variable climate. Sydney’s population is set to grow to 7.1 million by 2041, which will put even more pressure on our water resources.
 
“The strategy makes it clear that we need to invest in additional water supply in the next 5 to10 years as well as improving  water efficiency and conservation, to make better use of all our water sources and assets.
 
It will also identify alternative pathways to increase  water supply options through reuse programs and additional water from desalination. 
 
“Water drives our economy and growth, maintains our parks and green spaces, sustains our health and wellbeing and supports a healthy environment. That’s why we’re planning and delivering new and resilient systems today to ensure Sydney continues to be green, liveable and prosperous.” 
 
The GSWS will deliver:  
 

• Improved water efficiency, leakage management and reuse programs to save Greater Sydney up to 49 billion litres of water every year by 2040;
• New flexible operating rules for the Sydney Desalination Plant that will enhance our resilience by allowing up to 20 extra billion litres of water per year to be produced – and more when needed;
• Options to expand the desalination plant, which could add another 90 billion litres per year, or a new desalination;
• Investment in treated re-use programs for watering trees, sports fields, cooling and greening the city, and industrial use; and  
• Smarter use of stormwater with integration into land use planning. This is already underway with the stormwater vision for the new Aerotropolis precinct. In a first for the State, stormwater will be managed across the entire landscape, diverted into natural water channels and wetlands, and then treated as recycled water to green and cool Sydney’s West. 

 
“The GSWS lays the groundwork for these, and many other exciting programs, initiatives and technologies, to start delivering big water wins for our city,” Mr Anderson said.  
 
The strategy assumes Warragamba Dam’s current storage is maintained.
 
“While Chris Minns and NSW Labor want to lower the supply level in Warragamba for flood mitigation, the Greater Sydney Water Strategy confirms this risks putting Sydney into severe water restrictions and even permanent drought,” Mr Anderson said.
 
“It would mean we have to start work today on at least two more desalination plants to meet the supply shortfall costing taxpayers $10 billion and adding up to $200 a year to their water bills.”
 
To read the Strategy and the Implementation Plan, visit:
https://water.dpie.nsw.gov.au/plans-and-programs/greater-sydney-water-strategy

Pensioners and other concession card holders can now pick up free rapid antigen tests (RATs) from any Service NSW Service Centre, Mobile Service Centre or Disaster Recovery Centre.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said from today eligible customers in NSW will now also be able to access up to 10 free RATs through Service NSW Centres, in addition to existing distribution points at more than 200 neighbourhood and community centres located across the State.

“Although we are heading out of winter, the risk of COVID-19 remains and we want to ensure RATs are easily accessible for pensioners and concession card holders,” Mr Dominello said.

“We are committed to supporting our local communities and helping to drive down the cost of living where we can for vulnerable people.”

Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Services Natasha Maclaren-Jones said this shows the Government’s continued commitment to keeping those most vulnerable to the virus safe.

“This roll-out is part of the NSW Government’s program to provide millions of free rapid antigen tests to ensure they are readily available to support our state’s most vulnerable,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said. 

“Eligible customers need to show Service NSW staff their Commonwealth concession card at any one of our 113 Service Centres, four Mobile Service Centres or Disaster Recovery Centres across the State.”

Minister for Multiculturalism and Minister for Seniors Mark Coure said this once again shows the NSW Government is ensuring no one is left behind, especially seniors.

“This builds upon our earlier commitment to pick up the Federal Government’s Concessional Access Program, which it dropped at the end of last month,” Mr Coure said.

“We are making sure we keep the pressure off as many people as possible by stepping up and filling the gap that really should have not been created in the first place.”

The program will run until the end of October 2022. Eligible Commonwealth Concession Card holders in NSW include:

• Pensioner Concession card
• Commonwealth Seniors Health Care card
• Health Care Card (including Low Income Health Care card)
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold, White or Orange cards.

 
For more information visit Free rapid antigen tests to support vulnerable communities | NSW Government or visit any Service NSW Service Centre.

More people sleeping rough will be helped into stable accommodation as the NSW Government increases its investment in tackling homeless.
 
The Supported Transition and Engagement Program (STEP) will be extended following a $20 million investment by the NSW Government.
 
Minister for Families and Communities Natasha Maclaren-Jones said STEP was vital in supporting people experiencing homelessness find stable accommodation.
 
“We know that long-term accommodation is crucial for the welfare, health and wellbeing of vulnerable people,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
 
“Once accommodation is secured through STEP individual issues can be addressed with assistance provided to access support services and to sustain housing.
 
“The flow on effects from stable housing are many – the feeling of security, improved mental health and the stability to apply for, and find, jobs.”
 
STEP has supported 103 people sleeping rough or experiencing secondary homelessness in inner city Sydney since it began in 2018.
 
Funded by the NSW Government, the program is a partnership between community housing provider Bridge Housing and Neami National, working in collaboration with Metro Community Housing and Women’s Housing Company.
 
Rebecca Pinkstone, Bridge Housing’s CEO said the funding boost would assist people with vital access to housing and supports.
 
“This initiative has proven to be life changing for people sleeping rough, helping them into stable accommodation and ensuring they sustain their tenancy,” Rebecca said.
 
Tenant Andrew was successfully supported into housing through the STEP in 2018 and has thrived.
 
 
“Having a home means everything to me because I have safety and security now,” Andrew said.
 
Operating on a ‘housing first’ model, it supports people into permanent housing and provides support that assists individuals or families to break the cycle of homelessness for good.

A new $25.3 million Cyber Security Operations Centre will safeguard NSW Police Force systems from terrorists, organised criminal networks and hackers.
 
In a joint project led by the NSW Police Force and Cyber Security NSW, the Australian-first operations centre will be made up of a frontline tactical team of 15 analysts and engineers working seven days a week.
 
Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Paul Toole said the Cyber Security Operations Centre would strengthen the Force’s cyber security defences by identifying and blocking threats in real time.
 
“The NSW Police Force holds a significant amount of sensitive data relating to local, national and international criminal investigations, and we know there are criminals who want to get their hands on this information,” Mr Toole said.
 
“Analysts in the Cyber Security Operations Centre Command respond to and prevent threats of disruption to the police network every day.
 
“These threats often come from organised crime networks or cyber criminals – and our investment in this Australian-first operations centre is about ensuring our analysts are equipped to stop them in their tracks.
 
“By protecting police systems, we are fundamentally protecting the people of NSW by allowing the Force to function securely and effectively, and ensure criminal investigations proceed unthwarted.”
 
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said it was vital NSW continued to push ahead with its vision to be a world leader in cyber security to protect and advance its digital economy.
 
“Now more than ever before, governments, people and businesses are at risk from ongoing cyber security threats and Cyber Security NSW is committed to working with government agencies to improve cyber resilience and ensure they are prepared,” Mr Dominello said.
 
“We are committed to developing an Australian-based cyber security workforce that is world-leading when it comes to taking on increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks.”
 
Since June 2020 the NSW Government has invested $315 million through the Digital Restart Fund to bolster the Government’s cyber security capability and grow the local cyber industry.
 
For more information about Cyber Security NSW, visit: https://www.digital.nsw.gov.au/policy/cyber-security

Technology trailblazers, legal professionals and community groups with innovative proposals to increase access to justice are being invited to apply for the latest round of the NSW Government’s Access to Justice Innovation Fund (AJIF) grants.
 
Attorney General Mark Speakman said AJIF grants totaling up to $250,000 are available to fund projects that can help resolve common legal problems and reduce barriers to justice.
 
“Making it easier for people, especially those in disadvantaged communities, to solve common legal problems quickly and easily is a key priority for the NSW Government,” Mr Speakman said.
 
“We know that technology and innovative approaches have an important role to play in supporting and enhancing access to justice.
 
“Over the past three years, we have seen some outstanding projects developed through the AJIF program that are now making a real difference to people’s lives.
 
“Providing innovators with the opportunity and the funding to enhance the way we do things in the justice space is an investment in our state’s future.”
 
AJIF grants are allocated to new, low cost, high impact projects that reduce barriers to the justice system, with a focus on communities experiencing disadvantage.
 
Projects can include those that aim:  
 

• to explore new approaches to the delivery of legal assistance services and the resolution of legal problems
• to help people to navigate and access the justice system
• to promote collaborative approaches to reducing barriers to justice
• to demonstrate how technology can improve access to, and user experience of, the justice system.

 
The AJIF was set up in 2018 as a four-year, $1 million project to support the development of innovative access to justice ideas.
 
 
Previous grant recipients include Justice Connect, the University of Sydney, the University of Newcastle and the Newcastle Women’s Domestic Violence Advocacy Service.
 
Applications for AJIF grants will close at 11.59pm on 28 October 2022.
 
More information is available here. 

Real time traffic information will soon be available for motorists using local roads across 22 regional Local Government Areas (LGAs).

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the NSW Government is expanding the Live Traffic NSW website and app to provide more reliable information to drivers, especially during emergencies like bushfires or floods.

“We have created a platform which allows councils to share real time live traffic information from their local roads into a central hub, which will give more information to motorists when they are travelling on the state’s network of regional highways,” Mr Farraway said.

“We’ve taken on feedback from communities and recommendations from the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements Report to develop ‘OneRoad’ a backend portal for councils to feed their data into Live Traffic NSW so road impacts across local and state roads are all in the one place.

“The initial 22 LGAs have been chosen in consultation with the NSW Police, RFS and SES with the view to have all 128 LGAs across the state on board by 2024.

“LGAs will continue to come onboard in stages, with the priority given to the regional councils who have been impacted most by bushfires and floods.

“In the event of road closures through floods or fires, they will no longer have to piece together information from different sources to work out what roads are open and safe to use.

“By bringing all of the state’s traffic information into one central hub we will improve the experience of road users, helping to keep drivers moving and our communities safe.”

This year during natural disasters the Live Traffic NSW website and mobile app traffic spiked up to 33 times the usual daily volume, with up to 660,000 sessions in one day, demonstrating the demand for real-time traffic information in a crisis.

Lismore City Council Mayor Steve Krieg said the ability for councils to share info via this tool is a fantastic win, particularly for areas impacted by extreme weather events.

“Having this one-stop digital shop for disruption across the road network is an invaluable tool for any community, especially one looking for a clear road out during a natural disaster,” Mr Krieg said.

“My community knows how crucial coordination is across government so the ability for local road impacts to now be fed into Live Traffic NSW and navigational systems by our Council is a big step in the right direction, ensuring community members have access to the latest information at their fingertips.”

In the state’s Far West, Central Darling Shire residents and tourists rely heavily on up-to-date roads information because most of the shire roads are unsealed and wet weather often forces road closures.

Central Darling Shire Council General Manager Greg Hill said this exciting project would provide significant benefits for residents and visitors to the area.

“OneRoad will greatly assist local people as they travel around their community and make it easier for tourists planning to drive within the shire,” Mr Hill said.

“We are thankful to the NSW Government for choosing Central Darling Shire as one of the first councils to come on board with this technology and helping ensure our communities are connected and well informed across the road network.”

The new information from 22 LGAs will be available on Live Traffic NSW and third-party apps from October.

The NSW Government is working to identify Crown land that can be used to develop social and affordable housing in regional areas that are facing severe accommodation shortages.
 
Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson said the Government wants to support regional communities by providing land that can help more people find a safe place to call home.
 
“Work is underway to develop a long-term strategy to identify and develop Crown land sites for housing. In the meantime we are working to identify more sites that can be ready to progress with housing by the end of the year. These sites will be in locations with low rental vacancy rates and areas with high demands for social or essential worker housing,” Mr Anderson said.
 
Crown Lands and the NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together to identify and deliver suitable Crown land for residential development in priority areas facing housing stress.
 
Crown Lands manages the State’s Crown land assets and LAHC manages NSW’s 125,000 social housing properties, so together they aim to identify land and grow social, worker and private housing supply to benefit communities that need it most.
 
Once finalised, the Crown Land’s Housing Strategy will include opportunities for funding and partnerships with other government agencies, community housing providers and other project partners to develop mixed tenure communities on Crown land.
 
In February, the government announced Crown land in Cooma that would support up to 250 mixed tenure dwellings under a partnership between Crown Lands, LAHC, the NSW Aboriginal Land Council and Merrimans Local Aboriginal Land Council.
 
In May, plans were announced to rezone 615 hectares of Crown land at North Tuncurry to support a proposal that involved 2,100 new homes for up to 4,500 future residents, including benefits for the local Aboriginal community.
 
Mr Anderson said regional NSW has about 40 per cent of the State’s population with numbers increasing as COVID changes the way people live and work, and people search for more affordable homes and lifestyle options outside cities.
 
“We’ve seen demand growing for regional housing and rents and house prices increase. This is why the NSW Government is prioritising delivering more housing. By unlocking Crown land we can ensure more properties are built while investing in projects that create local jobs and support local economies.”

The NSW Government is working to identify Crown land that can be used to develop social and affordable housing in regional areas that are facing severe accommodation shortages.
 
Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson said the Government wants to support regional communities by providing land that can help more people find a safe place to call home.
 
“Work is underway to develop a long-term strategy to identify and develop Crown land sites for housing. In the meantime we are working to identify more sites that can be ready to progress with housing by the end of the year. These sites will be in locations with low rental vacancy rates and areas with high demands for social or essential worker housing,” Mr Anderson said.
 
Crown Lands and the NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together to identify and deliver suitable Crown land for residential development in priority areas facing housing stress.
 
Crown Lands manages the State’s Crown land assets and LAHC manages NSW’s 125,000 social housing properties, so together they aim to identify land and grow social, worker and private housing supply to benefit communities that need it most.
 
Once finalised, the Crown Land’s Housing Strategy will include opportunities for funding and partnerships with other government agencies, community housing providers and other project partners to develop mixed tenure communities on Crown land.
 
In February, the government announced Crown land in Cooma that would support up to 250 mixed tenure dwellings under a partnership between Crown Lands, LAHC, the NSW Aboriginal Land Council and Merrimans Local Aboriginal Land Council.
 
In May, plans were announced to rezone 615 hectares of Crown land at North Tuncurry to support a proposal that involved 2,100 new homes for up to 4,500 future residents, including benefits for the local Aboriginal community.
 
Mr Anderson said regional NSW has about 40 per cent of the State’s population with numbers increasing as COVID changes the way people live and work, and people search for more affordable homes and lifestyle options outside cities.
 
“We’ve seen demand growing for regional housing and rents and house prices increase. This is why the NSW Government is prioritising delivering more housing. By unlocking Crown land we can ensure more properties are built while investing in projects that create local jobs and support local economies.”