Category: NSW News

The NSW Government will provide free Rapid Antigen Tests to vulnerable communities and expand its existing program to include those accessing tests through the Federal Government’s Concessional Access Program, which is due to finish at the end of the month.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government is committed to making sure no one is left behind and ensuring vulnerable communities have the support they need through winter.
 
“We are making sure those people who need it most get the help they need to help keep themselves and the community safe through winter by stepping in and providing free Rapid Antigen Tests,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
Minister for Multiculturalism and Minister for Seniors Mark Coure said the expanded program would allow eligible Commonwealth Concession Card holders in NSW to access 10 Rapid Antigen Tests over three months up until 31 October 2022.
 
“The NSW Government has already been distributing free Rapid Antigen Tests to vulnerable communities, and we have the capacity to extend this to those still needing them through the Federal Government’s program,” Mr Coure said.
 
“There is no need to rush or panic about whether or not you will be able to access tests—we have enough tests to support you.”
 
The NSW Government has already made millions of Rapid Antigen Tests available to vulnerable communities, including multicultural communities, people with disability and their carers, homelessness services, social housing tenants, and children and young people in out-of-home care.
 
Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Services Natasha Maclaren-Jones said the decision to expand the program to include those currently eligible under the soon to end Federal scheme, is about keeping people safe.
 
“We want to keep the pressure off the state’s most vulnerable as much as possible, and the expansion of this program is a key way for us to do that,” Mrs. Maclaren-Jones said.
 
If you are at a higher risk of severe illness, plan ahead. Speak to your doctor now about antiviral or other early treatment for COVID-19, so you understand your options if you test positive. If you are not at higher risk of severe illness, do a rapid antigen test unless you have arrived from overseas and have COVID-19 symptoms or your doctor tells you to have a PCR test.
 
Tests will be available through 210 neighbourhood and community centres located across the state. For more information and to find neighbourhood and community centres providing Rapid Antigen Tests, visit www.dcj.nsw.gov.au/rapid-tests 

More than 400 aspiring early childhood teachers across NSW are set to receive a cash boost to complete their studies thanks to a NSW Government investment.
 
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, Treasurer Matt Kean and Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell announced today that a record 439 scholarships are being awarded across the state, to attract and retain staff to support supply in the early childhood education and care sector.
 
Premier Perrottet said almost $11 million has been invested from the NSW 2022/23 Budget to deliver scholarships to support educators in entering the workforce or to boost their skills as degree qualified early childhood teachers.
 
“Early learning professionals are invaluable and we need more of them, which is why we are making a record investment in the early childhood education workforce,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“This investment of almost $11 million in delivering 439 scholarships will support our commitment to address workforce supply issues and build a sustainable pipeline of early childhood teachers for tomorrow.”
 
Treasurer Kean said these scholarships will help create a sustainable supply of early learning professionals, with every successful applicant to be awarded up to $25,000 under the 2022-23 Early Childhood Education Scholarships Program and Aboriginal Early Childhood Education Scholarships program.
 
“This record investment in scholarships will support our vision of a highly qualified and sustainable workforce, meeting the needs of NSW families and children,” Mr Kean said.
 
“We want to build a stronger and brighter future for NSW families and we know that building on the early childhood workforce is a no-brainer in delivering this commitment to families.”
 
Minister Mitchell said one third of all successful scholars live and work in regional and remote areas across the state, which will help create lasting benefits now and into the future for all NSW children, families and the economy.
 
“With submissions from hundreds of talented applicants, many already working in community preschools and long day care services, it’s great to support these applicants to retrain or start their early childhood career,” Ms Mitchell said.
 
“These scholarships will support recipients to deepen their understanding of early childhood environments, and gain additional skills and capabilities which will be passed on to the children they teach.
 
“I congratulate the scholars on their commitment to education and I wish them every success in their studies and future careers as qualified early childhood teachers.”
 
More than 18,000 prospective early childhood teachers and carers will be supported to enter the sector or boost their skills thanks to a $281.6 million workforce package in the NSW Government’s 2022/23 Budget. 
 
The NSW Government has committed $15.9 billion to deliver a brighter future for every child in NSW through a revolutionary transformation of early childhood education, child development and women’s economic participation over the next decade. Through the introduction of a universal pre-Kindergarten year, the Brighter Beginnings initiative, workforce package and affordable preschools  the Liberals and Nationals Government are ensuring NSW is the best state to live, work and raise a family.
 
More information can be found on the Department’s website: https://education.nsw.gov.au/early-childhood-education/working-in-early-childhood-education/professional-development-and-scholarships

The Ryde community will benefit from a transformation of health care with designs  for the $479 million Ryde Hospital redevelopment showcasing a state-of-the-art facility.
 
Health Minister Brad Hazzard today unveiled the latest concept designs and said the NSW Government’s significant investment in Ryde Hospital will ensure enhanced and expanded health services for the future closer to home.
 
“This first-class redevelopment will transform health facilities for the local community for many years to come, providing a range of new and expanded services, including a state-of-the-art emergency department, new theatres and medical imaging,” Mr Hazzard said. 
 
“The redevelopment will also provide a dedicated purpose-built ambulatory care centre and paediatric short stay unit at the hospital for the first time.”
 
Member for Ryde Victor Dominello said it also makes best use of the current services, including the Graythwaite Rehabilitation Centre and preserving the historic Denistone House as well as delivering contemporary education, training and research to strengthen tertiary partnerships.
 
“I’m delighted to share the new concept designs of the Ryde Hospital redevelopment with the community. They demonstrate the connections with existing heritage buildings and the nearby Blue Gum High Forest and there is plenty of green space to create a welcoming environment for patients, their carers, staff, and visitors,” Mr Dominello said.
 
“The redevelopment team has been working closely with clinicians, staff and key healthcare stakeholders as well as representatives from the local community who have been providing their feedback to help inform the design of the project.”
 
The Ryde Hospital will be assessed under a two-stage planning approval process.
The Stage 1 State Significant Development Applications (SSDA), to be lodged with the Department of Planning and Environment in the coming weeks, will seek approval for the proposed scale of the redevelopment as well as site preparation and enabling construction works.
 
A second and more detailed SSDA application will be submitted early next year, seeking approval for the detailed design and main construction works for the redevelopment.
 
The project is part of the NSW Government’s record $11.9 billion investment in health infrastructure to 2025-26.
 
The $479 million Ryde Hospital redevelopment will include:
 

• a new and expanded emergency department
• a new and expanded medical imaging department
• a new and expanded intensive care unit
• new operating theatres
• adult overnight inpatient beds
• a new purpose-built ambulatory care centre
• a new paediatric short stay unit
• improved landscaping, urban spaces and car parking

 
To view the plans and find out more about the proposed new hospital, please visit www.rydehospitalredevelopment.health.nsw.gov.au 

More than 3,500 people in regional and rural NSW will have greater access to housing supports and services following the launch of a new mobile outreach program to assist people sleeping rough.
 
Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Services Natasha Maclaren-Jones said the program would ensure regional communities, from Broken Hill to Leeton, are supported into stable accommodation.
 
“This funding will ensure there are dedicated staff on the ground ready to help people living in regional communities to apply for housing,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
 
“Housing stability plays a significant role in keeping families together and these regional outreach teams will provide people with the tools to make decisions for a chance at a better future.
 
“By intervening early and providing people with the support they need, we can engage them with the right services to significantly reduce their risk of homelessness.”
 
The outreach program will be launched in the Murrumbidgee, Far West and Western NSW regions and is expected to reach 35-50 people in each town.
 
It will serve as a mobile office travelling through regional areas and bringing with it information on services such as Rent Choice and Bond Loans, as well as access to housing supports.
 
The mobile outreach will also connect with existing service providers in those areas, such as specialist homelessness services, to build stronger relationships. 
 
Member for Albury Justin Clancy welcomed the commitment to reducing housing waitlists and overcrowding.
 
“As Deputy Chair of the Legislative Assembly Committee on Community Services I have seen first-hand the positive impact of outreach services in a metropolitan setting,” Mr Clancy said.
 
“There is a demonstrated benefit in metro areas and this announcement is a signal the NSW Government is working to ensure the same level of services is also provided to regional communities.”

Travellers holidaying in Bali are being urged to do their bit to prevent the highly contagious Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) from reaching Australian shores and devastating our $28.7 billion livestock industry.
 
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the impact of an FMD outbreak in Australia would be disastrous for the livestock sector, the economy and regional communities.
 
“We have kept Australia FMD free for more than 130 years, but it is now on our doorstep and we all have a role to play to keep our industry safe,” Mr Toole said.
 
“The message to travellers is simple: if you’re heading to Bali or somewhere that may have been affected by FMD for a holiday – or know someone who is – please do the right thing when you return to Australia. That means declaring where you’ve been, making sure any clothes and shoes you bring in are clean and free from soil and manure, avoiding encounters with livestock on your travels and staying away from farms or anywhere there might be livestock for seven days when you get home.
 
“Now is not the time for complacency – one dirty pair of shoes could devastate an entire industry.”
 
Mr Toole said the NSW Government welcomed moves by the Commonwealth to increase biosecurity measures on incoming flights from Indonesia but was keen to see biosecurity ramped up further.
 
“We’ve put a number of ideas on the table, including increased luggage screening, the decontamination of equipment and shoes for all returning travellers from high-risk parts of Indonesia, more detector dogs at Sydney International Airport, and a targeted advertising campaign that urges travellers to avoid contact with NSW livestock and facilities for five to seven days upon their return.
 
“We all need to work together – governments, industry and the community – to keep Australia FMD-free.”
 
Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said the NSW Government has been working hard to bolster biosecurity to keep the agricultural sector safe, with record investment to drive active surveillance, rapid diagnostics and effective traceability systems to monitor, track and respond to threats. 
 
“Biosecurity has been my top priority since becoming Agriculture Minister,” Mr Saunders said.
 
“An incursion of Foot and Mouth Disease would have severe consequences for Australia’s animal health and trade. Significant economic losses would be felt, with restrictions being placed on both domestic and international markets for live animals, meat and animal products.
 
“An uncontrolled outbreak could lead to the immediate closure of our meat export markets, and control costs have been estimated at more than $80 billion.”
 
Mr Saunders said while Australia has an internationally recognised capability to deal quickly and effectively with emergency animal disease outbreaks – including the large outbreak of equine influenza in 2007 and the outbreaks of avian influenza in 2012 and 2013 – primary producers must know what to be on the lookout for when it comes to protecting their livestock.
 
“We’re encouraging primary producers to engage in detailed contingency planning, to be overly cautious with people who come into contact with their livestock and monitor closely for signs of FMD which include blisters in and around the mouth area, drooling and limping,” he said.
 
“I have requested the Department of Primary Industries and Local Land Services ramp up their work with farmers to recognise the signs of Foot and Mouth Disease in their stock.
 
“If livestock exhibit any unusual signs consistent with FMD, they must be reported immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.”
 
FMD affects all cloven-hoofed animals including cattle, sheep, goats, deer and pigs. It can be carried by live animals as well as in residual soil left on shoes, clothing and equipment.
 
For more information on Foot and Mouth Disease, visit: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/animals-and-livestock/beef-cattle/health-and-disease/viral-diseases/fmd

The Aboriginal flag will fly permanently on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge following NAIDOC week celebrations, completing a commitment made by the NSW Government earlier this year.
 
“From today, one of Australia’s most recognisable landmarks will celebrate our Indigenous people and provide an everyday reminder of our nation’s rich history,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“Our nation’s story is rich and enduring and flying the Aboriginal flag permanently above the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a celebration and acknowledgment of that.
 
“Honouring this commitment is part of our ongoing commitment to recognise the history, culture, excellence and achievements of Aboriginal people and is a fitting end to NAIDOC week 2022.”
 
The NSW State Flag remains a vital part of our heritage and this will be showcased in a place of prominence as part of the revitalisation of the Macquarie St East precinct redevelopment.
 
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Franklin said the $25 million announced in the NSW Budget to place a permanent third flag pole on the Sydney Harbour Bridge will instead be allocated towards indigenous initiatives.
 
“This builds on the NSW Government’s commitment to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people across NSW, following a $716 million investment in this year’s Budget to prioritise Closing the Gap initiatives,” Mr Franklin said.
 
“I am proud to be part of the Government that will permanently fly the Aboriginal flag above the Sydney Harbour Bridge and I am happy that a further investment will be made to deliver real outcomes for Aboriginal people across NSW.”
 
Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said this is the right decision to ensure the flag can be flown permanently as quickly as possible, whilst recognising the significance of the Aboriginal flag.
 
“As has been outlined all along, the process of installing a third flagpole high above one of the busiest traffic corridors in Australia was always going to be difficult and this decision ensures the Aboriginal flag can remain permanently,” Mrs Ward.
 
“The Macquarie Street East precinct redevelopment will now be expanded to include a prominent NSW State flag, which recognises the important and rich history of Macquarie Street to the heritage of NSW.”

Ground-breaking drone technology is being used by Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews to help spot and clear leftover flood debris in cane fields across the Northern Rivers.
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the drones, known as Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), are proving invaluable to the ongoing clean-up and recovery effort.
 
“The flood event in February and March had such a devastating and widespread impact, including for many cane farmers who four months on are still finding debris strewn through their fields,” Ms Cooke said.
 
“Items like fridges, washing machines, gas cylinders, shipping containers and even a swimming pool are being found in cane fields across the Northern Rivers. This sort of debris could damage farming equipment like harvesters and risk ruining harvest season activities, which is the last thing our growers need after being impacted by the floods.
 
“The waters may have receded months ago but the recovery is ongoing and the NSW Government is committed to using any and all means necessary to the help the flood-affected communities of the Northern Rivers bounce back.”
 
Two teams of drone operators from FRNSW’s Bushfire and Aviation Unit have been in the Northern Rivers to identify and map the location of dangerous debris.
 
FRNSW Deputy Commissioner Megan Stiffler said it’s the first time the drones, purchased with funding in response to the Black Summer bush fires, have been used in the flood recovery effort.
 
“We conduct reconnaissance flights using smaller drones and if they identify dangerous or bulky waste material, we send up the larger RPAS’s which can pinpoint the size and location of the debris.
 
“Once we process the data, we can send QR codes to the cane growers, which then provide them with real-time maps of their properties, identifying where the obstacles are located.”
 
The growers can then remove the debris with the help of Resilience NSW and the Environment Protection Authority.

Your local bus or garbage truck could soon be equipped with a new technology that will track and prioritise road repairs, including identifying potholes before they form.
 
The NSW Government is funding Asset AI™, a $2.9 million trial – currently involving 32 sensors installed on 32 public transport buses across Greater Sydney area – which is being led by Transport for NSW and the Roads and Transport Directorate.
 
The new technology can be combined with local weather observations to predict the rate of deterioration and streamline how road asset maintenance is prioritised.
 
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the new sensors were another example of the NSW Government using technology to improve outcomes across the State.
 
“The people of NSW have embraced digital services through products like the ServiceNSW app, Dine and Discover vouchers, Fuel Check and Park’nPay and expect modern service delivery,” Mr Dominello said.
 
“There will always be cracks in the road and there will always be potholes but with smart tech like this we can predict deterioration, streamline maintenance and get to better outcomes much faster.”
 
Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said this cutting edge technology is revolutionising road maintenance across the state.
 
“It’s a brilliant use of resources already on our roads. Mounting cameras and sensors onto vehicles with regular routes, like garbage trucks and public transport buses, ensures road defects are captured incidentally, including those un-reported by residents,” Mrs Ward said.
 
“This AI technology assesses the captured footage and logs any road defects detected into a database in near-real time, meaning it will find potholes and cracks in the road before they find you.”
 
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said road data is also being collected outside of the city with a utility vehicle mounted with cameras scanning 100 kilometres of rural roads, across regional NSW.
 
“A ute with the road scanning camera and user interface mounted is travelling across 100 kilometres of regional NSW roads to detect and report on road conditions,” Mr Farraway said.
 
“We will have it out collecting data along the Great Western Highway between Lithgow and Bathurst, the Sturt Highway near Wagga Wagga and around Spring Ridge in the Upper Hunter.”
 
A pre-trial was undertaken with Canterbury-Bankstown Council last year, Asset AI™ is now being developed with initial camera and sensor trials underway across Greater Sydney.
 
Canterbury Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour said Asset AI™ will save councils and ratepayers money and improve road safety.
 
“We do an audit of our roads once every four years and it is very expensive. This new technology will allow us to do it on a weekly basis instead,” Cr Asfour said.
 
“Asset AI uses predictive analysis to improve road maintenance by predicting the risk to the community rather than just reporting the condition of the road assets, and that’s great news for our residents.”
 
IPWEA NSW and ACT operate the Roads and Transport Directorate, which is a joint venture with Local Government NSW.
 
The organisation’s President Grant Baker said Asset AI™ could revolutionise current practices.
 
“This initiative is a game-changer for local government to re-imagine the way they currently assess and audit roads to fully benefit from new technology,” Mr Baker said.
 
“It’s all about putting communities at the centre of everything we do.”
 
Further testing is being rolled out across regional and metropolitan regions including Georges River, Blayney, Central Coast, Liverpool, Wingecarribee, Sutherland, Warren Shire, Liverpool Plains, Griffith, Tamworth, Wollongong, and Murray River Councils in September.
 
The Asset AI™ project is funded by the NSW Digital Restart Fund and is expected to be available to all NSW Local Government areas in late 2023.

Louise Sauvage, Cathy Freeman, Betty Cuthbert and Sam Kerr are some of the sporting legends who could be honoured under a NSW Labor commitment to naming stadium stands after female sports icons – starting with a stand at Stadium Australia (Accor Stadium). 
 
A Minns Labor government will conduct a public consultation process to determine which sporting icon will be honoured first, in response to calls for better recognition of great female athletes.
 
Currently, the Sydney Cricket Ground does not have any stands named after female athletes and the new Sydney Football Stadium in Moore Park has named four men who will have stands named after them.
 
Stadium Australia in western Sydney does not have names allocated to any of its stands.
 
NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns said:

Sitting in a stadium stand named after a female sporting legend will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of female athletes at the Olympics, Rugby League or in the A-League Women. It’s a no brainer – and there’s no shortage of wonderful female sporting legends in Australia to choose from.”
 
“Female participation in sport is growing rapidly in NSW, yet we do not recognise great female athletes appropriately. We will make a start in fixing this by naming a stand in Stadium Australia.”

Shadow Minister for Sport Julia Finn said “What better way to acknowledge the contribution of female athletes than by naming a stand at Stadium Australia”.
 
“But we want every new stadium project in Sydney and regional NSW to recognise female sport legends in a similar manner”.
 
Shadow Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said “We are quick to recognise the contribution of men in sport, but there is little recognition of women and that needs to be fixed.”
 
The NSW Government owns and operates four stadiums in Sydney through Venues NSW, and one stadium each in Newcastle and Wollongong.

Homeowners, buyers and the property service industry will benefit from stronger accountability and transparency with more than 83,000 strata schemes across the State able to register and consolidate their details into a new digital Strata Hub.
 
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said with more than one-in-seven NSW residents living in strata, it was crucial they were provided with accurate and up-to-date information.
 
“Buying and living in a strata scheme is a significant investment of time and energy and relevant information can be difficult to find,” Mr Dominello said.
 
“The Hub will evolve to act as a one-stop shop for those living in, or looking to, purchase a strata property.
 
“Strata living is a popular option for couples and families and this platform will enable them to make more informed decisions about where they live. NSW, after Ontario in Canada, is the only place in the world to offer something like this for its people.”
 
Minister for Fair Trading Eleni Petinos said the Hub would be a game changer for prospective buyers and homeowners.
 
“The Hub will be easy to use and allow people to access a wealth of clear information on strata issues anywhere, anytime,” Ms Petinos said.
 
“Whether you’re after the facts on keeping a furry friend, renovating, or repairs and maintenance in strata, you’ll be able to find it at the click of a button in one centralised hub.
 
“This a big win for those living in or wanting to live in strata – it will provide them with more transparency and hold strata schemes to account.”
 
The reporting platform is now open for registrations, which means owners corporations or their managing agents can register their details and do a proof of identity check to complete their profile on the strata portal.
 
In August, strata schemes or their managing agents can submit regulatory information such as fire and safety information and occupation certificates. The search function will also feature geo spatial mapping so people can locate strata schemes faster.
 
From 2023:
 

• The nominated emergency service contacts will be shared with emergency services agencies;
• All people wanting to buy, live and work in strata can register on the strata portal to access tailored general information about strata living at www.nsw.gov.au including, basic strata information about plan numbers, street addresses, number of lots and registration dates.

Strata scheme residents and owners will also be able to register on the strata portal to review:

• All the information available to the general public;
• Webinars and how to information for strata scheme reporting;.
• Date of issue for the latest annual fire safety;
• Whether the scheme has formed a strata renewal committee and its date;
• Contact details for the strata manager and building manager (if any).

 
All strata schemes in NSW will soon need to report key information online each year.
 
For more information visit www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/strata/annual-reporting.