Category: NSW News

A multi-million upgrade to RSPCA NSW Adoption and Education Centre in Western Sydney has been opened today by Premier Dominic Perrottet, Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman, and RSPCA CEO Steve Coleman.
 
The new state-of-the-art Sydney Adoption and Education Centre has been jointly funded by the NSW Government and RSPCA NSW’s community of animal lovers, with the State Government investing $12 million in the upgrade to transform the shelter for animals and expand the organisation’s capacity.
 
Mr Perrottet, the RSPCA NSW Patron, said the investment from the NSW Government demonstrated its ongoing commitment to animal welfare.
 
“This is the largest animal shelter in NSW, and it’s been helping families find their forever pets for more than 40 years,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“The NSW Government is very proud to support the great work being done by RSPCA NSW, and I congratulate CEO Steve Coleman and his team for creating a centre that will continue to strengthen animal welfare standards, following the changes to the law last year meaning NSW now has the strongest suites of penalties for animal welfare in Australia.
 
“The upgraded facilities at Yagoona will also help them continue their wonderful work caring for animals in need and enable even more families to discover the joy of adopting a pet.”
 
Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman said the new Education Centre will host veterinary, staff and volunteer training, community events, and school education programs that will benefit future generations by educating them on animal welfare.
 
“Animals are such an important part of our lives, and each year RSPCA NSW manages the veterinary treatment, care, rehabilitation and rehoming of almost 45,000 cats, dogs, horses, livestock and other animals,” Mrs Tuckerman said.
 
“Our investment in the shelter also supported local jobs, utilising locally made prefabricated concrete”
 
RSPCA NSW CEO Mr Steve Coleman said that this would not have been possible without the NSW Government and thanked them for their ongoing support.
 
“It’s an honour to have the Premier here today opening the centre which is central to our mission, providing a place of refuge for animal and animal lovers alike,” Mr Coleman said.
 
“The Premier first took an interest when he was Treasurer and ensured funding for animal welfare was a priority. This modern facility is the outcome of hard work by our donors and the State Government.
 
“Thanks to the support of the NSW Government and the community, we continue to deliver the largest animal welfare enforcement unit in Australia, with a team of inspectors dedicated to investigating instances of animal cruelty across NSW, responding to over 15,000 cruelty complaints per year.”
 
The $29 million upgrade will assist RSPCA NSW in continuing to prioritise the physical and emotional wellbeing of their animals, with state-of-the-art innovations including acoustic-controlled kennels, hydronic underfloor heating, and environmental enrichment mechanisms in the design.
 
Animal lovers, neighbours, friends, families, the community at large are welcome to visit RSPCA NSW, meet the animals, adopt or foster care, volunteer, donate, and be a part of creating a better future. For more information visit www.rspcansw.org.au

Thousands of students have returned from the Easter holidays to benefit from a $376.1 million investment in school infrastructure, with five new or upgraded public schools opening their doors today.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell officially opened two of the new schools – the relocated Meadowbank Public School and Marsden High School – in the Meadowbank Education and Employment precinct.
 
Mr Perrottet said the new precinct is an incredible asset for the entire Ryde community and a flagship for public education in NSW.
 
“This site offers an exciting future for thousands of students, with first-class facilities that can take them from kindergarten to tertiary education at the one location,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“This is a result of our historic $15 billion school infrastructure pipeline of projects, which is more than any other government has ever spent building and upgrading schools, to give our kids the best start in life.”
 
Ms Mitchell said the new facilities are mind blowing and showcase student centred learning by housing primary, secondary and tertiary education on the one site.
 
“Already this year the NSW Government has delivered an investment of more than $690 million in school facilities with 12 school communities enjoying brand new teaching and learning spaces,” Ms Mitchell said.
 
“This means we have more than 350 new classrooms, new halls and libraries benefitting more than 10,000 students.
 
This government has now delivered 125 new and upgraded schools since 2019, and there are more to come.”
 
Major upgrades to Fairvale High School and Greystanes Public School, as well as a new multipurpose hall at Jamison High School have also been launched today.
 
The NSW Government is investing $7.9 billion over four years, continuing its program to deliver 215 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW.
 
Term 1 2022  ($319.1 million)
Alexandria Park Community School
Croydon Public School
Dapto Public School
Kyeemagh Public School
Lake Cathie Public School
Passfield Park School
Porters Creek Public School
 
Term 2 2021 ($376.1 million)
Fairvale High School
Greystanes Public School
Jamison High School
Two schools at Meadowbank Education & Employment Precinct

The Independent Education Union of Australia expresses its full support for the NSW Teachers Federation and its members who are taking industrial action on Wednesday 4 May. The IEU also supports the Federation’s bans on implementing new government policies.

“It’s time for meaningful action now,” said IEUA NSW/ACT Secretary Mark Northam.

The IEUA NSW/ACT Branch represents more than 32,000 teachers, principals and support staff in non-government schools as well as early childhood teachers.

“Teachers and support staff across the government and non-government sectors are dedicated professionals who have been pushed to breaking point,” Northam said. “The sharply rising cost of living, lack of real wages growth, ever-increasing workloads and global pandemic have led to crippling staff shortages. Our members are exhausted and burnt out.”

The IEU is in the process of negotiating new enterprise agreements for its 18,000 members in Catholic diocesan schools. The union’s campaign, Hear Our Voice, calls on employers to:

·       Pay teachers what they’re worth (an increase of 10% to 15% over two years)

·       Give support staff a fair deal (pay parity with colleagues in public sector schools)

·       Let teachers teach – cut paperwork

·       Allow time to plan

·       End staff shortages.

To take industrial action, the IEU is bound by federal legislation requiring a formal, complex and time-consuming balloting of its members in Catholic diocesan schools. But this process is well under way.

“The union has obtained a Protected Action Ballot Order in the Fair Work Commission to enable balloting of members,” Northam said. “This will proceed during May and, pending its outcome, will authorise similar industrial action in late May.”

“We urge employers to Hear Our Voice,” Northam said. “It’s time for a fair deal for teachers and support staff – it’s the only way to attract and retain the right people to fix the critical shortages and guarantee teaching and learning for our students now and into the future.”

IEUA NSW/ACT Branch President Chris Wilkinson said: “For too long the needs of teachers and support staff have been ignored, and now increasing workloads, growing class sizes, lack of casual staff and constant data collection requirements have hit crisis point. School staff deserve pay and conditions that reflect the complex work they do each and every day.

“We stand with our colleagues in the NSW Teachers Federation. We all need our voices to be heard.”

It was a historic moment on the final day of the 2022 National Netball Championships in Hobart, as New South Wales went two for two in heart stopping gold medal matches.

Kickstarting the day’s gold medal matches, New South Wales and Victoria met for their chance to be crowned as winners of the 17/U division. Victoria were first out of the gates, taking the first centre pass and score of the game. The Victorians seemed in control of their grand final nerves as they tested New South Wales’ game play.

New South Wales managed their first goal of the game, with goaler and captain Monika Otai getting her team on the scoreboard. This ignited New South Wales’ fire as they took the next three goals of the quarter. Victoria reacted quickly, determined to shut down any advance from their opponents.

Gutsy Victorian wing defender Montaya Sardi was dominant around the defensive circle, collecting multiple intercepts. The end of the first quarter saw Victoria maintain their momentum as they led New South Wales, 10 to 9 goals.

The intensity only grew as both teams fought tooth and nail in a tight second quarter. New South Wales fielded the first goal, but Victoria immediately answered with another. Both teams went goal for goal, giving rise to a 19-goal tie at half time.

The roars of a passionate crowd filled the stadium as New South Wales and Victoria continued to battle it out for gold. New South Wales applied some fantastic ball movement and unrelenting defensive pressure to get ahead of Victoria. Dynamic defenders Frederika Schniedeman and Eugenie Little stayed hungry for the win, managing many valuable turn overs. This valiant team effort allowed New South Wales to move in front by three-quarter time, leading 30 to 26 goals.

With only ten minutes left to secure the match, both teams utilised every moment of the final quarter. It was New South Wales who kept control of the game, dominating in both attack and defence. This unsettled the Victorians, as they lost multiple possessions due to inaccurate passing and rushed plays.

Quickly regaining their composure, Victoria managed to remain firmly in the fight for gold with a last-minute surge. Victorian team captain, Mia van Wyk led her team in what was an exhilarating final quarter effort. This was not enough to stop New South Wales, as they charged home to a 38 to 35 goal victory, confirming them as the winners of the 17/U gold medal match.

New South Wales 17/U head coach, Amber Cross, commended her team’s relentless efforts across each quarter.

‘There is a real belief in this team of girls, a belief in each other and their ability to win in any situation,’ Cross said, also highlighting the significance of the win, as the last time New South Wales won the 17/U championship was over ten years ago.

New South Wales dynamo Grace Whyte took out the MVP award for the 17/U gold medal match after a stellar grand final performance. Whyte said she could not have done it without her teammates.

‘It means so much to win after all the hard work we have done,’ Whyte said.

In a 2019 rematch, New South Wales and South Australia got off to a shaky start in the 19/U gold medal final. Neither team was able to capitalise on their possessions in the early minutes of the game, despite some determined passages of play.

South Australia broke the New South Wales centre pass to take the first score of the game. The contest remained tight, as both teams forced each other to reset plays across the court. South Australian goalers Poppy Gilfillan-Silk and Kayla Graham showed their incredible shooting ability to help their team take the lead at the end of the first quarter, 6 to 4 goals.

Scores remained low throughout the second quarter, as both teams gave and received unrelenting pressure. There were several clever intercepts from both teams, but these were counteracted by rushed decisions and inaccurate passes. New South Wales goaler Millie Roach was a reliable target in the goal circle as she attempted to lift her team’s position. Scores remained close as the game reached half time, with South Australia maintaining an 11 to 9 goal lead.

Regrouped and ready to take on the game, New South Wales put in a courageous third-quarter effort. Early on, mid-court powerhouse Audrey Little managed two back-to-back intercepts to help her team claw their way back. This fighting spirit from New South Wales put them in front at three-quarter time, 18 to 15 goals.

As the final quarter of the gold medal match ensued, both teams locked horns in a final bid for the win. The intensity soared as neither team took their foot off the gas in all areas of play. South Australia took three consecutive goals to close the gap with New South Wales.

Several strong rebounds from South Australian goal keeper Jessie Grenvold gave her team a much-needed final quarter surge. It was New South Wales who managed to fend off an unrelenting South Australian side, sealing the win, 26 to 24 goals.

New South Wales 19/U head coach Jennifer Wright said it was relieving to take the win after a massive week of competition.

“I am thrilled that the girls were able to get it over the line today,” Wright said.

“Their composure and trust in one another was really the deciding factor.”

The MVP award for the 19/U gold medal match went to New South Wales team captain and NSW Swifts Training Partner Audrey Little, whose dynamic cross-court abilities were unmatchable.

Little credited her MVP win as a team effort saying, “it is obviously such a privilege, but I would be nothing without the girls”.

Earlier in the day, Queensland defeated South Australia in the 17/U bronze medal match, 34 to 24 goals. Western Australia proved too strong for Tasmania, taking fifth position overall after a 31 to 23 goals win. The ACT beat the Northern Territory, 39 to 21 goals, to secure seventh place.

In the 19/U bronze medal match, Victoria came out on top against Western Australia, winning 40 to 34 goals. Fighting it out for fifth place, Queensland defeated Tasmania, 40 to 23 goals. The ACT managed to overcome the Northern Territory, 33 to 26 goals, to finish in seventh place.

From Lismore to Thirroul, Gundagai to Kogarah, more than 16 local government areas across NSW will benefit from new funding for conservation work to their local war memorials.  
 
More than $125,000 will be invested in the protection and repair of local war memorials, under the Community War Memorials Fund 2021/22, which commemorate the sacrifice of service men and women.
 
Minister for Transport and Veterans David Elliott today announced the successful projects for the latest round of the community grants which support the conservation, repair and protection of local memorials.
 
“This Anzac Day, people across NSW will gather to pay respect and honour our diggers so it is vitally important we also protect our local war memorials so that young people understand the sacrifices made during the war,” Mr Elliott said.
 
“A total of $125,160 was awarded in this round, with grants ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 so all communities should review the status of their local war memorials and apply for funding if any restoration work is needed.”
 
The recent grants will support a variety of conservation projects including: an arborist assessment of Newman Park Great War Memorial Avenue of Honour in Orange; repairs to the Corowa First and Second World Wars Memorial Clock; and the restoration of the St Andrew’s Anglican Church War Memorial Gates in Lismore.
 
Lismore Parish representative Dr Ross Lehman said the funding had come at an important time as they were working to engage more with the community to encourage people to take the time to remember the service and sacrifice of our veterans.
 
“We are very thankful to be the recipients of the NSW Government grants. Importantly we are looking forward to relocating the Honour Roll and Plaque to honour the veterans from the First World War.” Dr Lehman said.
 
Mr Elliott also called for applications for the latest round of the Community War Memorials Fund. “I encourage all communities who believe their local memorials needs repair or restoration to apply”.
 
The next round of the Community War Memorials Fund opens on Anzac Day and closes at 5pm on Monday 25 July 2022.
 
To be eligible for funding, the memorial must be listed on the NSW War Memorials Register. A list of recipients, program information and the application form is available here

Working in NSW is about to become easier for interstate tradespeople, with the Government rolling out the welcome mat to ease construction industry labour shortages.
         
From 1 July, NSW will recognise a range of interstate building and construction qualifications and registrations, with certain tradespeople no longer needing to apply for a NSW licence, or pay additional registration or renewal fees.
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said more electricians, plumbers, and building workers coming to NSW would help the Government accelerate the repairs of homes, businesses, and schools damaged by the recent floods.
 
“We’re making it easier and cheaper for interstate sparkies, chippies, plumbers, and brickies to come to NSW and help with the flood recovery effort,” Mr Kean said.
 
“We’re cutting red tape to ensure that if you are an eligible qualified and registered tradie from any participating state, you can work in NSW. This means interstate tradies can now come and work in the Northern Rivers regions to help through the recovery phase.”
 
The changes follow extensive public consultation and form part of a national move to make it easier for tradespeople to work across borders under the Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) scheme.
 
Mr Kean said it’s expected these changes will allow a more timely response to any future natural disasters.
 
“Our preference is always for local businesses to fill these jobs first. But improving the mobility of skilled workers across borders is particularly important in building the infrastructure we need to recover from the floods and build resilience to future natural disasters,” Mr Kean said.
 
“This scheme will deliver an estimated $2.4 billion increase in economic activity over ten years from savings to workers and businesses, productivity gains, and quicker responses to future natural disasters.”
 
Minister for Small Business and Minister for Fair Trading Eleni Petinos said the NSW Government had worked closely with industry to ensure proper protections for tradies and their customers are in place.
 
“Industry stakeholders were engaged to ensure that participating interstate tradies meet the necessary qualification standards,” Ms Petinos said.
 
“We’ve erred on the side of caution when deciding which licenses would be included to maintain the highest standards for consumers in NSW.
 
“Recognising interstate registration reduces administration costs faced by tradespeople – many of whom are small business owners – who want to grow their businesses and move to where the work is.
 
“This will boost competition, which can deliver lower prices, greater choice, and improved service quality for consumers.”
 
NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory, and the Australian Capital Territory are participating in the Automatic Mutual Recognition Scheme. Western Australia will join the scheme on 1 July 2022.
 
More information on AMR can be found here: Making it easier for registered professionals to work interstate | NSW Government

The people of NSW have embraced the NSW Government’s voucher programs over the Easter long weekend with more than $25 million injected into businesses across the State during the four-day break.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said it was tremendous to see the crowds out and about enjoying the voucher programs, just one of over 70 ways to save offered by the NSW Government. 

“It’s heartening to see so many people taking advantage of the long weekend to shake off the shackles of the pandemic and spending their vouchers with those businesses needing it most,” Mr Perrottet said.

“We have saved families around $5.8 billion since 2017 through our Savings Finder, and this is another way the NSW Government is helping you get a boost for your budget.

“With more 266,000 vouchers redeemed over the Easter long weekend, the Dine & Discover NSW program enjoyed its biggest uptake since Christmas providing a $12.3 million boost to the economy and Stay NSW also set a redemption record with people enjoying the sights of this beautiful State to the tune of $10.3 million.

“With the Anzac day long weekend coming up and more than $550 million in vouchers sitting in digital wallets ready to be spent, we want people to get out again and take advantage.”

Around a quarter of the long-weekend’s redemptions were in the City of Sydney followed by Wollongong, the Central Coast, Newcastle and then the regions.

The uptake of Parents NSW vouchers set a new redemption record with 32,558 used on Good Friday alone, making it the single biggest day in the history of the program since launching in February.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the people of NSW had embraced the nation-leading digital delivery of the vouchers.

“Over the holiday weekend, more than 117,000 Parents NSW Vouchers were spent, totalling $5.8 million in voucher redemptions,” Mr Dominello said.

“This is about getting money to where it’s needed without people or businesses having to wade through red tape and allowing everyone to enjoy a great long weekend.

“With an average customer spend of $96 for every $50 voucher, Parents NSW is providing the perfect stimulus for registered Discover NSW and Stay NSW businesses, injecting more than $10.3 million into the economy over Easter.”

If people don’t have the Service NSW app, please visit a NSW Service Centre or call 13 77 88 and it will all be organised for you.

With more than 70 ways to save, customers can explore the full range of options available through Savings Finder, which include the voucher programs, by visiting www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/savings-finder

The NSW Government will provide millions of free Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) to vulnerable cohorts, including people with disability, children and young people in out-of-home care, vulnerable multicultural communities and Aboriginal communities to support early identification and treatment for COVID-19.

Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Services Natasha Maclaren-Jones said up to 7.9 million RATs will be available to ensure protection for some of the most vulnerable in our community.

“We want to ensure that rapid antigen tests are easily accessible to those who need it most, to keep them safe against COVID-19 through the coming winter period,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.

“Given the higher risks for some cohorts, including people with disability if they contract COVID-19, ensuring early diagnosis and treatment is vital.”

The free RATs are now being progressively rolled out at locations across the state.

Those who are eligible will be able to access tests through their disability service provider or directly through statewide neighbourhood centres funded by the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ).

Vulnerable people who test positive for COVID-19 on a RAT are reminded to confirm the result with a PCR test to enable timely access to anti-viral medications and medical support, should it be required.

The program will initially run for four months, with a review to determine whether it should be extended toward the end of winter.

Physical Disability Council of NSW CEO Serena Ovens said people with disability, their support workers, carers, and family deserved access to free RATs to ensure they were not being forgotten.

“We need to protect those who are among the most at risk from COVID-19, particularly as we enter the winter months to ensure that people with a disability can safely get back to doing what they love,” Ms Ovens said.

National Disability Services Senior Manager State & Territory Operations Karen Stace said they welcomed the much needed distribution of free RATs for people with disability.

“It is great to see the Government making it a priority to protect some of the most vulnerable in our community by allowing people with disability to access as many RATs as they need, particularly as we head into the winter months,” Ms Stace said.

Flood-affected homeowners, renters and landlords can now apply for ‘Back Home’ grant payments to help replace appliances, reconnect utilities and carry out structural repairs to make their homes safe and habitable again.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the $112 million package, co-funded by the NSW and Commonwealth Governments, would provide one-off payments of $20,000 for owner-occupiers, $15,000 for landlords, and $5000 for renters across the Hawkesbury, Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed Local Government Areas.

“Housing continues to be one of our most pressing priorities in flood-affected communities, especially across the Northern Rivers, and this package helps support their rebuild and recovery,” Mr Toole said.

“We want to see people safely back in their homes. This grant provides payments to help people make critical repairs like fixing roofs, reconnecting utilities or replacing furniture and whitegoods.”

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said more than 10,000 homes had been assessed as damaged, with more than 4,000 assessed as uninhabitable across the State.

“Anyone who has registered already will receive an alert that the system is now taking formal application. More than 5,900 residents have already registered their interest in the ‘Back Home’ grant and Service NSW will be reaching out to them in the coming days to ensure this support is delivered as quickly as possible. Impacted households can apply on the Service NSW website or via the app, with support also available on 13 77 88,” Mr Dominello said.

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the ‘Back Home’ grant is one of the many ways the NSW Government is helping flood-affected communities rebuild.

“This support will help people get back to their homes as quickly as possible as they work to recover from these devastating floods,” Ms Cooke said.

“The ‘Back Home’ grant is also open to those with damaged households in suburbs that adjoin the hardest hit council areas.

“We are working hard to ensure these grants make it into the hands of those who need it most, regardless of where they live.”

The funds can go towards any clean-up costs to restore housing to a habitable condition, including:           

• Inspection and safe reconnection of utilities, such as electrical, gas, water, hot water and sewerage equipment not otherwise the responsibility of utility companies;
• Necessary replacement or repairs to damaged essential household goods such as refrigerators, ovens, washing machines and microwaves;
• Necessary replacement or repairs to damaged equipment such as computers and tools;
• Replacing other essential household contents;
• Moving to a new property; and
• Necessary structural repairs including roof, flooring, walls and fitting replacement (owners).

In addition to the 8 hardest hit LGAs, the ‘Back Home’ grant can be accessed by owners and renters with households in the following adjoining areas:

• Agnes Banks
• Barcoongere
• Berambing
• Bilpin
• Bucketty
• Cattai
• Coombadjha (2460)
• Dirty Creek
• Halfway Creek
• Hernani
• Leets Vale
• Lower Portland
• Maraylya
• Newton Boyd
• Putty
• Sherwood
• Tabulam
• Ten Mile Hollow
• The Gulf
• Upper Corindi (2456)
• Urbenville
• Vineyard
• Wisemans Ferry
• Woodenbong

Low-income earners who are successful in their application for the Disaster Relief Grant (DRG) are unable to apply for the Back Home grant. However, anyone who doesn’t qualify for the DRG can apply for the Back Home.

For more information on the ‘Back Home’ grant and to apply, please visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-flood-recovery-back-home-grant