Category: NSW News

Communities in regional and remote NSW are set to benefit from increased water security through a further $369.6 million investment in the Safe and Secure Water Program in the 2022-23 Budget, including $90 million in new money.
 
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the additional investment will help  to continue work with local water utilities to fund vital water and sewerage infrastructure projects in the regions.
 
“Every project delivered by this program makes a tangible difference to the everyday lives of residents in regional communities,” Mr Toole said.
 
“This funding will ensure we can keep investing in upgrading and building new water infrastructure to safeguard access to quality drinking water, improve water security and provide better wastewater services.”
 
Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson said the Safe and Secure Water Program started in 2017 and has delivered 26 completed projects across towns in regional NSW with funding for more than 200 other projects currently in various stages of delivery.
 
“From the Bundarra sewerage scheme, the Bourke water treatment plant, and the Finley water treatment plant, Safe and Secure Water projects have improved water security for communities right across regional NSW,” Mr Anderson said.
 
“Investing in water and wastewater infrastructure unlocks economic potential across rural and regional NSW by providing the services necessary to support population growth and business development.”
 
The Safe and Secure Water Program (SSWP) is a $1 billion regional infrastructure co-funding program established in 2017.
 
For more information on the Safe and Secure Water Program visit dpie.nsw.gov.au/safe-and-secure-water-program 

NSW Labor is calling on Dominic Perrottet to consider immediate and serious cost of living relief after analysis revealed that the Perrottet Government is currently underspending on its “Cost of Living” programs by almost $1.7 billion.
 
Under the NSW Liberals the cost of living has continued to skyrocket with massive increases in energy bills on the way for the people of New South Wales.
 
From 1 July, some NSW residential customers will pay up to 18 per cent or $369 more each year, while small businesses will pay 20 per cent or $1,130 more. The highest price rises will be seen across Western Sydney, whose residents already pay the highest energy bills as well as steep rises in the Illawarra and the Blue Mountains.
 
In comparison to every other state and territory across the country, NSW currently offers the least support for energy bills to low-income households.

What is clear is that the current rebate scheme is not working – at least $265 million in eligible energy rebates remained unclaimed last year.
 
The average take-up of government energy rebates is 51 per cent, with some as low as 11 per cent.
 
Additionally, Dine and Discover vouchers, and small business fees and charges rebates, will expire in less than two weeks, with hundreds of millions still to go out the door.
 
Dominic Perrottet must guarantee this money won’t be used by the Government to bolster its budget bottom line – this is money that should be redirected as promised to help people pay their energy bills.

There are two simple solutions the government could implement right now when it is most urgently needed – before the budget, and before these programs expire at the end of June:

• Allow small business and not-for-profits to use the available small business fees and charges rebate for their energy bills – which would be enough to give every small business in NSW $400 off their energy bills.
   
• Open the remaining Dine and Discover funds to energy bill relief for households – which would be enough to give every single household in NSW $110 off their energy bills.

These would be targeted and immediate solutions to a cost of living crunch that Dominic Perrottet has allowed to occur under his government.

Chris Minns, NSW Labor leader said:Cost of living is quickly becoming the number one issue in New South Wales – the cost of everything is through the roof in New South Wales and people simply can’t afford it.
“With key measures due to expire in coming weeks, Dominic Perrottet must urgently look at ways to provide serious and immediate cost of living relief – and make sure the money actually gets out the door.

“The Government needs to look at it’s chronic underspend of programs and redirect the money to cost of living relief – it’s a common sense idea. Daniel Mookhey, Shadow Treasurer said:

“Dominic Perrottet has built his budget on the back of chronically underspending programs. It’s one thing to get a big announcement, but it means nothing if the money never gets out the door.

“At a time when cost of living pressures are at record highs, and energy bills are spiking, these programs should be fully paid out – instead the money sits in government coffers”
“Every dollar Dominic Perrottet holds on to is a dollar not going to help struggling families or small businesses” 
Jihad Dib, Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change said:
“People are struggling on so many levels with the surging cost of living pressures and we must ensure that wherever possible, we do whatever we can to ease these pressures. 
“These practical measures will make an enormous difference in lessening the surge of energy costs for families and businesses who will continue to do it tough.
“With the cold weather afoot, we don’t want anyone to have to make a choice between being warm and unable to do so because of unaffordable energy costs 

A Minns Labor Government will put rail safety and budget honesty first, and will abolish Dominic Perrottet’s Transport Asset Holding Entity (TAHE).
 
TAHE has been a financial and ethical disaster for the NSW Government.
 
The Government first ignored multiple warnings from its own advisors about the inherent conflicts of allowing a for-profit company to manage the safety and value of the State’s rail infrastructure, land and trains.
 
Last year, the Auditor-General took the rare step of refusing to sign-off on the accuracy of the state’s accounts, amidst concerns that Mr Perrotett’s government was using TAHE as a device to artificially reduce the size of the state’s budget deficit.
 
Despite its for-profit status, TAHE has never earned a profit. To date, it has cost the taxpayer more than $25 billion in write-downs and government bail-outs, including a rushed $5.2 billion bailout authorised in December last year. Millions in public money has already been spent by TAHE on consultants and PR firms.
 
Last week Labor revealed State Government plans to fix TAHE’s budget hole by turning it into a mega-property developer. TAHE was secretly tasked with selling off over $40 billion worth of public land near train stations for high-density apartments, student accommodation and even a hotel at Sydney’s Central Station.
 
If elected, NSW Labor will take advice from experts including on rail safety, about a suitable time to implement the TAHE abolition.
 
NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns said:

TAHE has always been about the NSW Liberals pursuing their agenda for transport of privatisation and higher fares as well as perpetuating a huge Budget con.
 
“The Perrottet TAHE Budget con as cost the taxpayer $25 billion in write-downs and bail-outs, all the while putting at risk rail safety.

 
Shadow Treasurer, Daniel Mookhey said the public had had enough spin and accounting cons.
 
“TAHE has to go. The public wants an end to the accounting trickery, lavish consultant spending and now the flogging off of public assets – all because Perrottet continues to mismanage the State’s finances.
 
“Perrottet and Kean will sacrifice budget honesty and rail safety to plug the hole in their ailing budget. Labor will always put the safety of our rail network and honesty in the State’s finances first.”
 

A Minns Labor Government will build 100 public preschools co-located with government primary schools, in its first term of government if elected.
 
This plan to build more preschools represents a more proactive approach in boosting the availability of preschool places for families.
 
It sets out a tangible step towards universal preschool for four year olds before 2030.
 
The Liberals and Nationals have not provided a substantive plan to deliver universal preschool by its nominated timeline of 2030.
 
Under Labor’s plan, every new primary school will be built with co-located preschools.
 
Labor will also build preschools at existing underutilised schools.
 
The funding for this will come from within the NSW Government’s budget allocation of $3.8 billion for early childhood learning initiatives.
 
The Victorian Labor Government has committed to a similar plan to build 50 new state-run early education centres.  
 
Education outcomes have declined over the last 12 years under the Liberal and Nationals – against other states, PISA results show NSW has dropped from 3rd to 5th in maths and science; and 4th to 6th in reading.
 
In addition, more than one in five NSW students are not meeting the national minimum standard for reading and numeracy.
 
NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns said:

 The Liberals and Nationals don’t have a comprehensive plan to deliver on universal preschool for four year olds or improve student outcomes.
 
“Parents will tell you they can’t wait until 2030 for the Liberals and Nationals to start acting on delivering accessible and affordable preschool.”

 
Deputy NSW Labor Leader and Shadow Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Prue Car said the government should act now and build onsite preschools at flood-impacted schools in the Northern Rivers:
 
“NSW could start this today by building public preschools at flood-impacted schools in the Northern Rivers as they are being rebuilt.
 
“But after 12 years of neglect, how can anyone trust the Liberals and Nationals to deliver on accessible early childhood education and reverse the declining education outcomes?
 
“Labor’s plan sets out a tangible way forward to deliver expanded preschool more quickly and improve education outcomes for students.”

Under a Minns Labor Government, roads subject to temporary speed limits due to construction work, will return to normal outside of construction hours, where safe to do so.
 
Currently, construction speed limits remain in effect outside of construction hours.
 
Labor acknowledges some road and lane closures that warrant ongoing speed reductions for the purposes of safety.
 
But it is not uncommon for drivers to have to slow down on an unobstructed road for work that is not taking place.
 
And speed cameras are also adjusted to lower limits, resulting in drivers facing heavy fines, demerit points and license suspension for travelling at the normal speed limit, even when it is safe to do so.
 
Labor will return speed limits to normal when work isn’t taking place and where it is safe to do so.
 
This is consistent with the report from the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Mobile Speed Camera Enforcement Programs in NSW, conducted by the joint committee on road safety which said:
 
“The Committee also heard concerns about the application of lower speed limits in work zones when works are not occurring. The Committee recommends that Transport for NSW consider reviewing the safety benefits and nature of appropriate speed enforcement in roadwork zones.”  [3.33, p 33]
 
These arrangements are also in place in Victoria and South Australia and the NSW Opposition is backing it as a common sense approach in NSW.
 
NSW Labor also notes this is particularly an issue in regional NSW where drastic speed reductions from 100km/h to 40km/h can occur for roadworks.

NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns said:

 “We want to return speed limits to normal when work isn’t taking place and there is no requirement from a safety perspective.
 
“This is a common sense policy that Labor in government will deliver for drivers.
 
“We have seen this work in other jurisdictions, now it’s time for NSW to get up to speed.”

 
NSW Shadow Minister for Roads John Graham said:
 
“Only lowering speed limits when it’s necessary for driver and worker safety will bring the community on side for these important measures.
 
“These changes will make it safer for workers too, it will limit the risk of drivers risking it when a work site looks quiet.
 
“We want to limit the confusing patchwork of speed limits that can occur near roadworks and which only serve to frustrate drivers when not in place for safety reasons.
 
“Road safety measures should be about making roads safer, not slowing down your commute or fines revenue raising.”

Sydney tolls could surge by almost 2.1 per cent in just a single quarter, beginning this Friday.
 
Under the latest quarterly rates, Sydney motorists will be hit with toll increases of between one and 2.1 per cent.
 
The quarterly increase – one of the highest on record – commences this Friday, 1 July 2022.
 
The Westlink M7 and Hills M2 are the roads which will see the largest increases, with the average Sydney car to be slammed with an additional $91.20 in tolls over the next 12 months*.
 
Western Sydney households will be hardest impacted by the increases. The government’s own data shows that 17 of the top 20 most tolled postcodes are in Western Sydney.
 
This will take their annual tolling bill to up to $4,267.20. And that’s just for using the Westlink M7.
 
Roads Minister Natalie Ward has admitted that Western Sydney motorists with multiple vehicles could be paying $6,000 a year in tolls.
 
The Premier has locked in many of the state’s toll roads into annual increases of four per cent or higher.
 
Last week, Labor announced a Minns Government will keep the Sydney Harbour Tunnel toll concession in public hands and return revenue from both the Sydney Harbour Tunnel and the Sydney Harbour Bridge to drivers in the form of toll relief.
 
Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader said:  
 

The reality the Perrottet Government has locked Sydney drivers into an arrangement with toll operators of minimum four per cent increases each year, every year, for the next forty years.
 
“And in the middle of a cost of living crisis, Sydney households are getting slammed for it. We’re already the most tolled city in the world.”

John Graham MLC, NSW Shadow Minister for Roads said:
 
“After locking Sydney into massive toll increases for the next forty years, Premier Perrottet’s response is to pay motorists to pay private toll operators.
 
“And on Friday, Premier Perrottet’s toll relief will mean even less.”
 
*Assuming two trips a day, 48 weeks a year

On the same day that both tolls and electricity prices going up, NSW Labor is reiterating its call for Dominic Perrottet and Matt Kean to consider re-diverting some of the chronic underspends in programs to help families with immediate and serious cost of living relief.

Recent analysis revealed that the Perrottet Government is currently underspending on its “Cost of Living” programs – with at least $265 million in eligible energy rebates remaining unclaimed last year.

From today, some NSW residential customers will pay up to 18 per cent or $369 more each year on their electricity bill, while small businesses will pay 20 per cent or $1,130 more.

The highest price rises will be seen across Western Sydney, whose residents already pay the highest energy bills as well as steep rises in the Illawarra and the Blue Mountains.

In comparison to every other state and territory across the country, NSW currently offers the least support for energy bills to low-income households.

The average take-up of government energy rebates is 51 per cent, with some as low as 11 per cent.
 
Additionally, Dine and Discover vouchers, and small business fees and charges rebates, have expired as of yesterday.

Chris Minns, NSW Labor leader said:

NSW residents will be hit with a double whammy today – both tolls and electricity prices are going up – and its brought to you by Dominic Perrottet’s privatisation agenda.

“Under Dominic Perrottet and the NSW Liberals, we are in a cost of living crisis”.

“We’re calling on the Government to look at the chronic underspend of programs – there’s $265 million in eligible energy rebates that can be used.

“It’s a common sense idea, that can offer real and immediate cost of living relief to NSW families now.”

Jihad Dib, Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change said:

“Matt Kean hasn’t busted energy bills, energy bills have busted families. It’s time for the government to come up with a real plan for cost of living relief that families can access.”

“The government’s approach to cost of living relief is that if you’re not on an existing concession then you’re not feeling the pinch. This is naive and out of touch.”

“The Minister is quick with a quip and big statements like he’s going to ‘bust’ energy bills. But the truth is that under his watch, families have done it tougher than ever before.”

“From today every family’s electricity bill will be going up. The government is out of touch if they don’t think this is hitting families really hard.”

BACKGROUND

For the 10 per cent of customers on standing offers (as determined by the Default Market Offer) power bills will increase by up to 18 per cent or $369 for households and 20% or $1,130 for businesses from today.

• Endeavour Energy (Western Sydney, Blue Mountains, Illawarra and South Coast)
  • Residential – 18.3 per cent increase or $369
  • Small business – 19.7 per cent increase or $1,130
• Ausgrid (Sydney, Newcastle and the Hunter)
  • Residential – 11 per cent increase or $210
  • Small business – 10 per cent increase or $690
• Essential (Regional NSW)
  • Residential – 9.6 per cent increase or $219
  • Small business – 14.7 per cent or $1,146

 Energy Retailers have also flagged increases for customers on market offers –

• Origin Energy will increase bills by 14.4 per cent or $270 on average from July 1.
• AGL customers will see an average increase of 17.5 per cent or around $300 from August 1. Some customers, including those in Western Sydney will see an increase of 20 per cent.
  • AGL are also raising gas prices by 8.8 per cent or $73.

After two years of COVID-enforced cancellations, the HART Junior State Titles are back and the next generation of NSW talent is set to converge on the Penrith District and Baulkham Hills Shire Netball Associations for three huge days of competition.

A flagship event within the Netball NSW (NNSW) pathway, the Titles showcase the strength of the grassroots game with young players from all over the state coming together to represent their respective Associations. It is also a key pathway competition for coaches and umpires.

Taking place from Saturday to Monday, 2-4 July, it is the largest community sport event run by NNSW, and doubles as one of the biggest of its kind of any sporting code nationwide.

Last held in 2019, its large-scale nature meant it sadly fell victim to COVID-19 lockdowns in both 2020 and 2021.

This year athletes will take part in three age-groups – 14U, 13U and 12U – with Penrith welcoming teams in Divisions 1 and 2, while Baulkham Hills hosts sides in Divisions 3 and 4.

Similar to this year’s Senior State Titles, which introduced Men’s Divisions for the first time, in 2022 the Junior Titles will have an inaugural Boys’ Division.

NNSW President Louise Sullivan noted that the hosting of the event this year was a major milestone in the game’s recovery as the nation learns to live with COVID-19.

“Given this is the largest grassroots netball event on the Netball NSW calendar, I think it’s fair to say that netball is back! How good is it to be able to say that?” she said. 

“Absence certainly makes the heart grow fonder and I know we are in for three very special days as participants and fans from all over the state flock in their thousands to both venues.

“I would like to acknowledge the players, coaches, officials, volunteers, staff and wider supporters of the game who put so much effort into their Junior State Title campaigns in both 2020 and 2021, only to have their opportunities taken away as the nation grappled with the coronavirus.  

“I hope many of those affected are taking part this year, but those who aren’t should still be immensely proud of their achievement in being selected for representative netball in the first place.

“When you see the sheer power of our grassroots game, that is no mean feat.”

Sullivan also emphasised the importance of inclusion in extending netball’s reach.

“Excitingly, for the first time ever, we will have Boys’ Divisions,” she said.

“The inclusion of male divisions in the Junior and Senior State Titles – the sport’s showpiece events at grassroots level – is a vital part of securing our game’s future.

“The last few years have shown us nothing is ever certain so we should appreciate the collectiveness events like this bring, and powerful impact netball can have across the state.”

Netball NSW would like to thank HART Sport, Naming Rights Partner of the event, for their support.

Work to transform the first light rail stop from vision to reality is underway on Church Street with two 23 metre-long 6-tonne canopies lifted into place in a major milestone for stage one of the Parramatta Light Rail project.

Minister for Transport and Veterans David Elliott said the installation of the canopy marked a significant achievement in the Parramatta Light Rail moving one step closer to delivering western Sydney commuters a first-class transport system.

“This city-shaping project will give commuters a choice in the way they travel which is vital in connecting communities, people and businesses,” Mr Elliott said.

“Parramatta Light Rail is being delivered with Australian businesses in mind, not only supporting local manufacturing and jobs, but also using innovative construction methods to minimise disruption.

“The canopies for the light rail stops are also a showpiece of the great work by Silverwater based manufacturing company, Icon Metal, engaged to manufacture and install the state-of-the-art, prefabricated light rail stop components which will use 80 per cent of locally sourced materials.

“The prefabricated structures including the canopies were built at the factory, craned into place and assembled overnight on Church Street, between Phillip and George streets, to reduce construction impacts on site,” Mr Elliott said.

Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said the final stop design was informed by extensive research, consultation with the community including accessibility groups, independent design review and prototyping.

“A full-scale light rail stop prototype was built and tested to ensure its design and features delivered the best customer experience. The stops will be fully accessible to accommodate a significant volume of people of different abilities, particularly during busy periods such as major sporting and community events.

“The Light Rail will improve access to the CBD and deliver an economic boost to Parramatta’s retail, hospitality and night-time businesses,” Mr Lee said.

Stage 1 of the Parramatta Light Rail will connect Westmead to Carlingford via Parramatta CBD and Camellia, and is expected to commence passenger services in 2023.

The NSW Government is providing extra support to the hospitality industry by extending free refresher courses into next year, in a bid to address staff shortages.

Minister for Hospitality and Racing Kevin Anderson said hospitality venues are doing their best to encourage workers to the sector, but are facing major staff shortages with many skilled hospitality staff leaving the industry during the peak of the COVID pandemic.

“Many who left the sector have seen their mandatory certifications lapse. We want to make it easy for those people to quickly and freely renew those certifications and remove any barriers that are preventing them from re-entering the hospitality sector,” Mr Anderson said.

“It’s not just bar and wait staff who require a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certificate – others who work or volunteer where alcohol is sold also need it, including security, crowd control and promotional staff.

“The same goes for the Responsible Conduct of Gambling certificate (RCG) – if you work around poker machines you need to have specific training to identify and minimise gambling harm.”

Australian Hotels Association NSW Director of Liquor and Policing John Green said pubs right across NSW are still struggling with staff shortages so this initiative is greatly appreciated.

“Reducing red tape makes it easier for those who worked in the industry to come back and pick up a few shifts at their local – we would especially encourage older workers with their years of experience to step back behind the bar,” Mr Green said.
Anyone whose certification expired from February 2020 can renew their RSA, or RSA and RCG together, for free, until February 2023 without having to retrain in full.

Since February this year more than 16,000 people have completed free RSA and RCG refresher courses through Liquor & Gaming NSW.