16 News

Self-driving robotic vehicles are communicating with traffic lights on the streets of Sydney, as part of an intelligent transport trial that positions New South Wales as a global leader in road safety innovation.

The vehicle-to-infrastructure technology under development aims to save lives by feeding data about pedestrians, cyclists, other motorists and traffic light signal changes to driverless vehicles, as well as manually operated vehicles.

Two self-driving vehicles will drive in live traffic on the streets of Chippendale using wireless connectivity to interact with traffic lights equipped with Transport for NSW’s Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System (SCATS).

As the automated vehicles approach the traffic lights, the software under development – Cit-e, sends messages about the intersection’s layout, right of way, timing of signal changes and warnings of imminent hazards including vulnerable road users.

A receiver in the vehicle uses the information in conjunction with the vehicle’s position, direction and velocity to gauge whether it is likely to commit a red-light violation or endanger other road users.

The self-driving vehicles used in the live traffic trial are designed by University of Sydney’s Australian Centre for Robotics and have undergone rigorous safety testing at Transport’s Future Mobility Testing and Research Centre in Cudal.

The Cit-e software could be launched commercially as early as next year by SCATS, and can be retrofitted to standard vehicles and traffic infrastructure meaning it could be in use long before the arrival of driverless vehicles.

The trial will be showcased at the Intelligent Transport Systems Summit in Sydney from 13-15 August – and delegates from around the world will get to experience the integrated solution on the Chippendale circuit which is a collaboration between Transport, iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre and Sydney University.

Minister Graham will be announcing the new technology in a keynote at the summit at 1:30pm today.

Find out more about SCATS

Learn more about Future Mobility at Transport

Read the Transport Technology Strategy

Minister for Roads, John Graham said:

“As cars get smarter, there’s the opportunity to make them safer and save lives on NSW roads.

“This innovative technology will put NSW at the forefront of the national conversation on smart car innovation and road safety.

“This vehicle-to-infrastructure technology can make a difference now, years before driverless vehicles become the norm because it can be retrofitted to existing intersections and built into the cars of today.

“Along with the safety benefits, this technology will also reduce traffic congestion, with communication between cars and infrastructure allowing the variation of a green-light windows to alleviate long queues.”

Secretary of Transport for NSW, Josh Murray said:

“This is a joint project with Sydney University and iMove to future-proof our traffic network and prepare our roads for an automated driving future.

“While this signals a real-world trial of the cutting-edge technology, at its core is an extension of Transport’s SCATS offering – a home-grown NSW Government innovation. Developed in house 40 years ago, SCATS is the global leader in intelligent traffic signals control and has been installed in more than 63,000 intersections across 216 cities in 32 countries.

“That’s NSW-know-how delivering proven safety benefits to one billion people globally.

“These new trials help us understand the challenges, and demonstrate the feasibility, of introducing emerging technology so we’re able to channel it in our day-to-day running of the network.”

A new one-stop-shop to help families navigate the difficult world of cyberbullying has been launched today in a collaboration between the NSW Labor Government and Federal eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant.

The Spotlight on Cyberbullying website brings together free and easily accessible cyberbullying prevention resources for parents, carers, teachers and schools.

The launch comes after NSW Deputy Premier and Education Minister Prue Car tasked NSW Chief Behaviour Advisor Professor Donna Cross to develop an evidence-led suite of anti-cyberbullying resources as part of her role, as NSW develops a nation-leading approach to social media and its role in bullying and violence among young people.

As part of the Minns Labor Government’s ongoing work to address the harms posed to young people by social media, Prof Cross worked with eSafety Commissioner Inman Grant to develop the free and easy-to-use tools, resources and webinars for parents and carers, school staff and the wider community.

The new best practice resources include frameworks, toolkits, videos, classroom and family learning materials, guides on how to respond to specific online situations, and advice and support for parents/carers and teachers, available to all states and territories.

Cyberbullying prevention and online safety have been prioritised in NSW by the Minns Labor Government, with initiatives including:

• Implementing a mobile phone ban in all NSW public schools from Day 1, Term 4, 2023.
• Partnering with the South Australian Government to host a social media summit to explore formulating a public health response to minimising the harms caused by social media. The upcoming summit will be attended by Meta whistleblower Frances Haugen.
• Launching a $2.5 million research fund to investigate the impacts of excessive screen time, video games and mobile phone use on young people and their learning.
• Delivering new syllabuses for teachers that explicitly address respectful relationships, online safety, cyberbullying, consent education and harassment or abuse.

A comprehensive Evidence Review highlighting effective evidence-based policies and practices to reduce cyberbullying, led by Professor Cross, has also been released today, which the NSW Government will consider in the lead up to the October Social Media Summit.

The new site can be used by teachers in addition to existing anti-bullying resources available through the NSW Department of Education.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“Our Government is prioritising young people’s online safety, and working to ensure our children can stay safe online.

“These new resources will help families, who may struggle with how to help when their children become victims of cyberbullying or other harmful online behaviours.

“I thank eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant and our NSW Chief Behaviour Advisor Professor Donna Cross for their work in establishing these practical resources.”

NSW Chief Behaviour Advisor Professor Donna Cross said:

“We know that young people are more likely to be cyberbullied outside school hours than at school – so it is vital that parents and carers also have evidence informed digital skills, knowledge, and the tools they need to support their children.

“These are nation leading resources that ensure quality evidence is used to inform its approach to tackling cyberbullying and other behaviours influenced by social media.”

E-Safety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said:

“Education remains a cornerstone of eSafety’s work.

“Our focus on prevention and early intervention though initiatives like Spotlight on Cyberbullying is central to these efforts.

“Spotlight on Cyberbullying delivers a one-stop online shop aimed at preventing online harms and collaborating closely with education sectors and schools, nationwide.”

eSafety is hosting a range of events for the National Week of Action against Bullying and Violence, including Virtual Classrooms for primary students; teacher professional learning and parent/carer webinars.

Children living with cancer in regional NSW will be able to receive care closer to home, thanks to a $100,000 funding boost for the Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation.

The funding, announced today by Health Minister Ryan Park, will go towards the James Tedesco Outreach Program, run by the Kids Cancer Centre at Sydney Children’s Hospital (SCH), Randwick.

The program is led by outreach nurses, who work closely with local medical teams and local GPs involved in a patient’s care to provide children, adolescents and their families with necessary support and practical assistance, saving them from having to travel hundreds of kilometres.

In 2022, the Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation pledged three years of support to fund an Outreach Clinical Nurse Consultant for the James Tedesco Outreach program. The role, which officially started in April this year, is supporting families and helping with the establishment of new outreach centres. The additional $100,000 funding boost will help continue this important work.

The Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation provides almost one million dollars a year to major children’s hospitals across Australia, including SCH and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, to support Clinical Nurse Consultant positions for outreach programs for children living with cancer.

Named in honour of Sporting Chance patron, James Tedesco, the James Tedesco Outreach Program provides support and education to regional and rural patients, communities and hospitals.

The Kids Cancer Centre cares for more than 200 patients and families from regional NSW and the ACT every year, with all of these families able to access outreach services.

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“I’m really proud to offer our support to the Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation through a $100,000 grant for its James Tedesco Outreach Program.

“Having the ability to deliver care closer to home, reduces the inequity experienced by regional, rural, and remote families with children and adolescents living with cancer.

“This initiative enables children to receive care and treatment in their local communities with the support of their local healthcare networks, while allowing children to remain in the comfort of their homes, supported by their families.”

Member for Coogee Marjorie O’Neill:

“I’m really thrilled the NSW Government is supporting the Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation’s James Tedesco Outreach Program based at the Kids Cancer Centre in Randwick.

“The ongoing generosity and work of the Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation plays an important part in supporting some of the youngest members our community dealing with cancer.” 

Mark Taylor, Chairman of Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation:

“As the current Chairman and a Patron of the Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation, I’d like to thank the NSW Government for the support of our wonderful nurses. Their work across NSW with kids diagnosed with cancer and their families has an extremely positive impact within the family unit and is often life changing.”

James Tedesco, Patron of Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation:

“I’ve been a patron of Sporting Chance for a number of years now and I’m very proud to be involved in this charity and to see first-hand the service they provide for kids and families in need and the difference they make.”

Dr Richard Mitchell, Director of the Kids Cancer Centre:

“While it’s incredibly challenging having a child diagnosed with cancer, it makes it even harder when you are away from home. Sadly, this is the case for almost half of the patients we see.

“Our outreach program aims to relieve this burden and ensure children can receive the care they need as close to home as possible.”

Outdated conditions that force patrons to be seated while drinking outside a licenced premises will be removed as part of the Minns Labor Government’s crusade to strip back useless red tape and rebuild nightlife and vibrancy across the state.

A blanket ban on standing and drinking as part of approvals for outdoor dining on footpaths in front of licensed venues will be scrapped.

The rule was part of COVID-era provisions to encourage outdoor dining and the use of footpaths. It is currently being used by around 145 licensed venues, including 60 pubs, clubs and small bars.

In future, the simple approval pathway under the Liquor Act will no longer have a blanket condition that stipulates patrons must be sitting down to consume alcohol in outdoor areas.

Individual venues will still need to meet safety and compliance standards.

The reform is part of a suite of changes that will form the NSW Government’s second tranche of Vibrancy Reforms.

The first tranche:

• Made temporary outdoor dining provisions permanent
• Ended single neighbour noise complaints against local pubs and other licensed venues
• Made it easier to activate streets for festivals and events (Open Streets program) and a regulatory model that allows streamlined approvals for repeat events (Permit, Plug, Play)
• Expanded Special Entertainment Precincts that empower local councils to change the rules around noise and opening hours in a designated area to support live entertainment and nightlife
• Increased incentives for live music and live performance, with two hours extended trading and an 80% reduction in liquor licence fees for licensed venues offering live music and performance
• Easier pathways for extended trading hours for major events like the Olympics and World Cups.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“For too long Sydney’s nightlife has been strangled by red tape.

“We’re fixing this by removing the restrictions destroying entertainment venues, tackling the housing crisis head on and helping the city get back on its feet.

“Having an economy that fires up at 5pm during the week is critical for global cities like Sydney.”

Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham said:

“We are getting the social scene back on its feet in Sydney and right across NSW.

“A blanket ban on standing with a drink in hand is a red tape hangover that has no place in 2024.

“Adults should be trusted to choose whether they stand or sit while having a drink.”

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

“Our government is making a stand to elevate NSW back to its rightful place as no.1 for having a vibrant, diverse and inclusive night-time economy.

“We’ll get there with common-sense regulations that support businesses and communities to enliven our city.”

Today marks the 79th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

Known as Victory in the Pacific – or VP Day – it commemorates Japan’s acceptance of the Allied demand for unconditional surrender.

Australia had been at war for five years, 11 months and 11 days when on 15 August 1945, news broke that the war was finally over.

Australian forces were engaged in campaigns across the Pacific – in New Guinea, Bougainville, New Britain, Borneo, and in the Philippines – and Australian prisoners of the Japanese were spread throughout Asia.

A number of commemorative services are being held across NSW and around the world to commemorate this day and acknowledge the service of our veterans.

Second World War veteran Don Kennedy was the guest speaker at the VP Day commemoration held at the Cenotaph in Martin Place Sydney. He had his first experience in the Merchant Navy in February 1944 at the age of 16, cruising out through the Heads on the Seirstad, destined for the Atlantic.

Although Mr Kennedy wasn’t trained to fight in the war or even acknowledged as a member of the services at the time, the commitment he and others made in the Merchant Navy was no less significant.

He was one of many veterans who shared their story in 2020 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. View the veterans’ stories here: https://www.warmemorialsregister.nsw.gov.au/nsw-stories/theme/75th-anniversary-stories

Minister for Veterans David Harris said:

“Today on VP Day we come together to remember all those men and women who served during the Second World War, in our Navy, Army, Air Force, the Merchant Navy and nursing, and thank them for their sacrifices, through conflict and, for many, long periods in captivity.

“We honour the nearly 1 million Australians who served, and the 39,000 Australians who made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of peace and the freedom we enjoy to this day.

“August 15 is a date our nation will never forget, as it brought an end to the war that was fought so close to our shores.”

Second World War veteran Don Kennedy said:

“I tell people I was 17 months in the war. There was only half an inch of metal between you and the sea if a torpedo struck the ship. We did what we could to help protect our nation.

“Keeping watch on board at night was a nerve-wracking experience for crew. All ships navigated without any lights at all on the outside to avoid detection by the enemy. You couldn’t even smoke outside on the deck at night.”

The Minns Labor Government’s plan to rebuild the state’s manufacturing industry will be boosted by a $2.3 million funding injection for the Industry Capability Network (ICN).

The funding delivers an election commitment to expand the ICN, enabling the organisation to support economic growth and create jobs by providing more supply chain matching services for NSW manufacturing businesses, particularly in Western Sydney and regional NSW.

The ICN supports local manufacturers by linking them to projects and improving their supply chain opportunities.

The funding boost will ensure more of the state’s businesses are front and centre for new projects and opportunities.

Restoring the state’s manufacturing industry is a key priority for the NSW Government, as well as ensuring the sector has the capabilities to deliver on the government’s priorities around transitioning to net zero and boosting housing supply.

The ICN, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, links projects and businesses through an online gateway database. It is supported by a network of industry specialists who ensure suppliers can grow their capabilities and ultimately achieve scale.

The NSW Government is committed to ensuring NSW is home to globally competitive industries that drive quality jobs and deliver a more resilient economy.

Find out more information on the ICN.

Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“The NSW Government is getting on with the job of rebuilding our local manufacturing sector, and today we’re delivering on our election commitment to expand the ICN, a vital service that increases opportunities for our local businesses.

“There are about 29,000 manufacturers in NSW, employing more than half a million people. We’re determined to ensure those businesses are supported to find new markets and grow their operations.

“The additional funding for the ICN means more businesses across the state will be linked to opportunities and projects to grow their capabilities and create more jobs.”

Executive Director of ICN NSW Ian Hudson said:

“We are thrilled to be able to grow our operations thanks to the NSW Government’s additional support.

“This will allow the ICN to expand its presence, particularly in Western Sydney and regional NSW, which are growing hubs for manufacturers.”