Category: NSW News

Jointly funded disaster assistance is now available to an additional four local government areas (LGAs) as the severe flooding that has affected large parts of New South Wales since mid-September continues.
 
The LGAs of Bathurst, Oberon, Shellharbour and Uralla are now subject to a natural disaster declaration (NDD).
 
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, said damages to areas within the additionally declared LGAs had been significant.
 
“The intense and ongoing floods have left councils across the State with major repair works,” Minister Watt said.
 
“With such a massive task ahead of them, these councils need the Australian and New South Wales Governments to work collaboratively and quickly so they know they’ve got the financial backing to get on with the job.”
 
New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said 70 LGAs are now been subject to a NDD.
 
“The widespread and ongoing nature of this flood event has meant it has taken more time to assess the damage across New South Wales, with eight river systems across our State still experiencing major flooding,” Ms Cooke said.
 
Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) for the flood event that started on 14 September 2022.
 
Assistance available under the DRFA may include:

• Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged (eligibility criteria apply);
• Support for local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets;
• Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations; and
• Freight subsidies for primary producers.

 
For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact Service NSW on 13 77 88.
 
To apply for a concessional loan, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au.
 
Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au.

Eligible businesses can now register as an approved provider for the Premier’s Back to School NSW program, which will deliver families $150 worth of vouchers for each child enrolled to attend school in 2023.  

Premier Dominic Perrottet said a new school year is an expensive time for families, and this new program will help them pay for essential items.   

“The NSW Government is standing alongside families and providing a boost to household budgets by providing financial support to cover some of the costs of essential school supplies,” Mr Perrottet said. 

“Three $50 Premier’s Back to School NSW Vouchers are available for each child and can be spent on supplies at any registered business – from school uniforms and prescribed textbooks to general stationery and equipment, such as lunchboxes and drink bottles. 

“We are encouraging all businesses who stock school supplies to register as a provider as soon as possible, to ensure all families are able to take advantage of the program before the 2023 school year begins.” 

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said that the back to school period is exciting for families, but can also be stressful with school supplies adding up quickly.  

“No matter if your child goes to a public or non-government school, you will have access to the Premier’s Back to School NSW Vouchers,” Ms Mitchell said.  

“It’s just one of many cost of living measures the NSW Government is delivering to support families. These vouchers will help parents and carers in getting their students ready for the 2023 school year, so I urge businesses to register early so parents can start planning their back to school checklists.”  

“These vouchers will not only be good for families but as we’ve seen from past programs, businesses will benefit from the extra spending stimulated by the vouchers, which will be available to around 1.3 million school children.” 

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the registration process will be simple and available online.  

“Eligible businesses can register as providers through the Service NSW website from today or by speaking with a Business Concierge who can lead them through the process,” Mr Dominello said. 

“The vouchers will be redeemed using the same app many businesses already have on their devices, so approved providers simply need to ensure the Service NSW for Business app is updated to begin scanning. 

“This program is one of more than 70 ways the NSW Government is providing hip pocket relief to households.” 

All businesses who register as a provider, whether part of a national chain or a stand-alone small business, will be listed on the Service NSW website so they will be easy to find when families are looking to save on school supplies. 

The Premier’s Back to School NSW vouchers will be available for parents to download and use from December. Further details will be announced shortly.

For more information about the Premier’s Back to School NSW Vouchers and how to accept and redeem vouchers, visit www.service.nsw.gov.au/back-to-school-vouchers, call Service NSW on 13 77 88 or book a call with a Business Concierge. 

Information on how a business can register for the program is available at https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/register-a-business-for-back-to-school-vouchers

For more information about the NSW Government’s range of rebates and discounts, visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/savings-finder or make an appointment with a Savings Specialists via phone on 13 77 88 or visiting a Service NSW centre.

Thousands of first home buyers can now fast track their home ownership dreams after the Perrottet Government’s landmark legislation received royal assent.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said in a national first, buyers will now be able to choose between paying a smaller annual property tax or an upfront stamp duty on their first home.
 
“First home hopefuls will now be able to attend auctions and inspections this weekend across NSW knowing that the First Home Buyer Choice is on the table,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“As prospective buyers inspect homes this weekend, they can now choose to opt into the First Home Buyer Choice and receive a refund in January on the upfront stamp duty they pay for homes valued up to $1.5 million.
 
“From January 16, first home buyers who opt into the annual payment won’t have to pay any stamp duty at all.”
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said the new program signed into law today would help thousands of young people and families shave about two years off the time needed to save for a deposit.
 
“Young families can save thousands in the long run by opting for the annual payment, with Treasury estimating about two-thirds will choose this because of the financial benefit,” Mr Kean said.
 
“There’s no limit on the number of eligible first home buyers who can apply for the First Home Buyer Choice.”
 
First Home Buyer Choice details
 

• Eligible first home buyers who sign a contract of purchase on or after 16 January 2023 will not have to pay stamp duty, provided they choose to pay the property tax before their purchase settles.

• Eligible first home buyers who sign a contract of purchase between 11 November 2022 and 15 January 2023 will also be able to choose the property tax:
  • For this group, applications to choose the property tax can be made at any time between 16 January 2023 and 30 June 2023.
  • If settlement occurs on or before 15 January 2023, they will need to pay stamp duty, and then will be able to apply for a refund of the stamp duty from 16 January 2023.
  • If settlement occurs on or after 16 January 2023, and they have chosen property tax, they will not need to pay stamp duty.

• These transitionary arrangements are necessary as time is needed to allow industry participants to update their electronic conveyancing systems to facilitate first home buyers opting into the new system.   

 
First Home Buyer Choice will be available for dwellings costing up to $1.5 million. For the purchase of vacant land intended for the construction of a first home, the price cap will be up to $800,000.
 
The NSW Government has estimated First Home Buyer Choice will cost $728.6 million over the next four years.
 
NSW Treasury analysis shows the breakeven period between upfront stamp duty and an annual property tax would be 36 years for an $800,000 apartment, 28 years for a $1 million townhouse, and 26 years for a $1.25 million house.
 
The same analysis shows that if a first home buyer purchased a $1 million house and sold it 10 years later, which is around the median holding period, the annual property payments over the 10 years would total $19,881 in present value terms compared with $40,090 in upfront stamp duty – a saving of $20,209.
 
The First Home Buyer Choice is a key component of the Government’s $2.8 billion Housing Package announced at the 2022-23 NSW Budget that aligns with the Housing 2041 vision.
 
For more information on the First Home Buyer Choice, go to https://www.nsw.gov.au/initiative/first-home-buyer-choice.
 
Eligible first home buyers can register their interest at: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/get-notified-about-first-home-buyer-choice.
 
An online calculator is available to assist first home buyers to assess their options. To view the calculator, go to https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/calculateyour-property-tax.

The NSW Government welcomes the decision by the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) to put more money into the pockets of the state’s teachers.   
  
The IRC granted a six per cent increase in remuneration to teachers over 2022 and 2023.   
 
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell welcomed the pay deal for the state’s more than 90,000 teachers and urged the teacher unions to work constructively with the Government following this decision.
 
“Making sure our teachers receive the maximum increases they are eligible for has been a focus for me and the NSW Government,” Ms Mitchell said.  
 
“I hope the Teachers Federation will now begin working with us on improving outcomes for our students. 
 
“We are committed to a program of significant reform including new, streamlined curriculum and giving teachers back time to teach, and have guaranteed additional release time for all teachers to enable effective implementation of these reforms.” 
  
Under the pay deal secured in the IRC, over 2022 and 2023 teachers will receive:    
 

• an additional 0.25 per cent increase from 1 July 2022 (back dated) on top of the 2.5 per cent increase received on 1 January 2022; and
• a 3 per cent increase from 1 January 2023.

 
Teachers will also receive an additional one-off payment outside the Award, amounting to 0.25 per cent of their annual salary as at 30 June 2022. This will be paid as a lump sum once the award is finalised, and means teachers will effectively receive 3 per cent from July.  
 
Over the last 11 years, the NSW Government has streamlined the wages policy and locked in pay increases for teachers ensuring stability whilst reducing NSW’s budget deficit and responsibly managing the economy. Under this sensible approach, teachers have received an almost 30 per cent pay increase since 2011.  
  
Minister for Finance and Employee Relations Damien Tudehope said this was a fair deal for teachers in line with the Government’s new wages policy that provides for higher pay alongside productivity-enhancing reforms.    
 
“Our wages policy provides amongst the highest public sector wages growth in the country and I’m pleased we can deliver our teachers a pay rise well above the 2 per cent per annum increase recently made by the Victorian Government,” Mr Tudehope said. 
 
The NSW Wages Policy provides for a further 0.5 per cent increase in 2023-24 pending agreement on productivity enhancing reforms.
 
Teacher salaries in NSW have grown nearly 2.5 times faster than the OECD average over the past two decades.  
 
The NSW Government’s Quality Time Program is on track to deliver a 20 per cent reduction in workload and admin burden faced by teachers by the end of 2022, having already met our targets for principals and school admin staff. 

It was on this day 104 years ago when, after four years of conflict, the guns finally fell silent over the Western Front.

Over 324,000 Australians served in a bloody and brutal conflict, the battles of the Great War claimed the lives of almost 60,000 Australian soldiers and wounded more than 150,000 more.

Every year we pause to remember the more than 103,000 Australian men and women who have died serving our nation in various conflicts since 1885, including in more recent times Australians who have served in the Middle East.

The sacrifices made by those men and women, as well as the many more who have been wounded both physically and mentally, should never be forgotten.

Nor should the loss and grief experienced by their family and friends.

We must also remain committed to the duty we owe our veterans to ensure they continue to receive the ongoing support they need.

Today on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we remember and reflect on the contributions made by those brave men and women.

Lest we forget.

A range of projects aimed at reducing the risk posed by future disasters will share in almost $13 million from the Australian and New South Wales governments.
 
The joint funding is being provided to educational institutions, Government agencies and not-for-profit organisations through the State Risk Reduction stream of the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF) to deliver projects that better protect communities against future natural disasters, including research programs, useable tools like apps and awareness campaigns.
 
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said the funding is being allocated to projects that have a State-wide impact.
 
“Investing in ways that reduce the severity and impact of natural disasters is a high priority. We stand ready to work with all levels of government, community members and organisations to achieve this,” Minister Watt said.
 
“Over the past three years New South Wales has copped disaster after disaster which have left communities reeling. Recovery is ongoing and we continue to support those efforts, but it is equally important to make sure we are investing in risk reduction projects for future disasters.”
 
New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the State Risk Reduction stream of the DRRF targets projects which will better protect communities.
 
“The $13 million will go towards helping communities be better prepared for when future disasters inevitably strike,” Ms Cooke said.
 
“The projects receiving funding cover a range of hazards including floods, fires, heatwaves and storms, with initiatives ranging from capability building and community engagement to new data systems and technology.”
 
The DRRF offers $52 million in total to build resilience and help reduce, mitigate and manage the risks of future disasters.
 
Some of the successful funding recipients include the Bushfire Building Council of Australia for the creation of a building assessor app and training program to improve the disaster resilience and energy efficiency of homes, and the Department of Planning and Environment to undertake flood hazard projects under plausible climate change scenarios.
 
For a list of recipients of the first round of funding, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/resilience-nsw/disaster-risk-reduction-fund.
 

An army of cyber security, cloud computing and artificial intelligence experts will be trained at the State’s first revolutionary Institute of Applied Technology (IAT) with the NSW Government today unveiling of a suite of 19 new digital-focused courses.
 
The new facility, located at Meadowbank, is a partnership between TAFE NSW, Microsoft, the University of Technology Sydney and Macquarie University, and will focus on turbocharging the take-up of digital skills to strengthen our State’s workforce.
 
Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the new IAT, which opens in February next year, is now taking enrolments in courses spanning artificial intelligence, cyber security, cloud computing, machine learning and data analytics.
 
“These courses have been developed hand-in-glove with industry to meet current and emerging skill needs,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“At a time when cyberattacks are on the rise, this training will allow people to quickly build the skills we need for a strong and safe digital economy.
 
“With Australia needing another 17,000 cyber professionals by 2026, now is the time for people to enroll in courses at our new IAT and get the skills they need for jobs in cyber security, digital forensics, data engineering, machine learning, and more.”
 
To meet this increasing industry demand, the IAT will offer a combination of flexible microskills and microcredentials to cater for new learners as well as current industry workers who require upskilling to maintain pace with the rapidly evolving sector. 
 
Member for Ryde and Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said learners can stack multiple microcredentials to create a nationally recognised certification, such as a diploma, or advanced diploma, or count towards a degree with participating education partners.
 
“Ryde is being transformed into an education and employment powerhouse, and this revolutionary new training facility will help attract, retain and upskill local workers, which is a fantastic win for our community,” Mr Dominello said.
 
In addition to the 19 programs now available, the IAT will release another 16 courses in time for Semester 2, 2023. For more information, visit www.iat.nsw.edu.au.  
 

Businesses will now be able to register for the NSW Seniors Card program faster and more efficiently online, thanks to the new digital registration process officially going live from today.
 
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the new and improved digital registration process will save businesses time and make it easier for them to update their discounts and business details.
 
“Until now, businesses were required to submit paper forms and wait up to four weeks to get approved to join the program with on average just fifteen new businesses on boarded each month,” Mr Dominello said.
 
“With the new online registration process, we have the ability to register hundreds of new businesses every week. For most businesses the registration process will take less than 10 minutes.
 
“We have also added a new enhanced map experience that will provide seniors with a bird’s-eye view of the savings on offer.
 
“Since launching the Digital Seniors Card in April, we have had an average of 24,000 seniors joining the program every month. Our digital savvy seniors are really enjoying the experience with a customer satisfaction rate of 90 per cent.”
 
Minister for Seniors Mark Coure said increasing business participation in the NSW Seniors Card program was a win-win for seniors and businesses.
 
“By reducing the registration time, we are making it much easier for businesses across the State to get involved in the program and promote themselves to the almost two million seniors in NSW,” Mr Coure said.
 
“The new digital platform will also allow new and existing businesses to easily update their discounts with the click of a button. This is a great opportunity for businesses to directly reach one of the State’s biggest markets.
 
“While giving them opportunity to connect with more customers, these businesses will ultimately be helping ease some of the pressure on seniors’ house hold budget.”
 
To register their business for the NSW Seniors Card program, business representatives must be authorised to act on behalf of the business by being listed as an associate in the Australian Business Register. If they are not, they’ll be guided through the steps for authorisation when they start their registration. Alternatively, they can supply a letter of authority. 
 
For more information or to register, call Service NSW on 13 77 88 for assistance or to complete the online form go to: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-be-nsw-seniors-card-program-participating-business 

The NSW Government is encouraging communities to have their say on the Environmental Impact Statement for Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 to help shape the final design for this once-in-a-generation transport project.
 
Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 (PLR 2) would transform how people move around the region and the public exhibition of the EIS was a perfect opportunity for the community to learn more about the project and provide feedback.
 
“The Parramatta Light Rail extension would link Stage 1 and the Parramatta CBD with the entertainment and sport precinct of Sydney Olympic Park, delivering a much-needed public transport solution to connect Greater Parramatta to the Olympic Peninsula (GPOP),” Mr Elliott said.
 
“GPOP is one of the fastest growing areas in the Central River City, and this project will deliver significant improvements across Western Sydney by connecting great people with great places while supporting jobs and housing growth.”
 
Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said Western Sydney communities will be reaping the benefits of a modern, world-class transport system.
 
“Placing the EIS on public exhibition is a vital part of the planning process which allows the community to have its say, and helps assess the proposal,” Mr Roberts said.
 
“The proposal will be open for comment until 7 December 2022, and I encourage everyone to take this opportunity to learn more about the proposal and make a submission.”
 
Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said PLR 2 would deliver improved transport connectivity for families on their commute to work, education or medical appointments via a safe, modern and reliable system.
 
“PLR 2 will ultimately provide new services approximately every 7.5 minutes between 7am and 7pm on weekdays and 14 fully accessible stops over a 10-kilometre two-way track. There will be an 8.5-kilometre walking and bike-riding path parallel to the light rail corridor linking to the existing network,” Mr Lee said.
 
Following planning approval construction on PLR 2 will start with enabling works and delivery of the bridge across the Parramatta River between Melrose Park and Wentworth Point.
 
There will be several opportunities to hear more about the proposal through face-to-face information sessions or via a virtual engagement room.
 
Visit Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 virtual engagement room for details about information sessions and how to make a submission.
 

A new authority dedicated to disaster preparedness, recovery and reconstruction from natural disasters will be established under legislation introduced to Parliament today.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the creation of a NSW Reconstruction Authority was a key recommendation of the independent Flood Inquiry, conducted by Professor Mary O’Kane AC and Mick Fuller APM.
 
“Travelling throughout our state this year, I have seen firsthand the devastating impact floods have had on our communities,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“We need to make sure communities across NSW are equipped to respond to natural disasters and that they have the support to get back on their feet.
 
“This Authority will be key to ensuring communities across NSW can better prepare for and recover more quickly from the impact of floods and other natural disasters.”
 
Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the Reconstruction Authority will focus on better preparing NSW communities against future disasters and protecting lives and property.
 
“We’ve always said we will do whatever we can to improve our management of natural disasters from prevention to response and rebuilding – and this authority is an important part of us putting those plans into action,” Mr Toole said.
 
“The establishment of the NSW Reconstruction Authority is the Government’s commitment to learning from past challenges to make us stronger as a State.”
 
Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said the Authority will have the responsibility and power to facilitate the protection, recovery, and reconstruction of affected communities following a natural disaster.
 
“The Authority will implement mitigation measures against the impact of potential disasters, and improve the resilience and adaptation of communities moving forward,” Mr Roberts said.
 
“Modelled off the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, it will ensure NSW is as prepared as we can be to tackle disaster mitigation and recovery head on.”
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the Reconstruction Authority will help communities to be better prepared when natural disasters hit.
 
“Our emergency services organisations continue to lead the response to natural disasters, with the new Reconstruction Authority focusing on the crucial tasks of long-term rebuilding and risk mitigation,” Ms Cooke said.
 
The Authority will also be responsible for:

• Developing a State disaster mitigation plan and material to guide councils to prepare adaptation plans; and
• Ensuring development needed to prevent or recover from a natural disaster can be delivered quickly.

 
The Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation will continue its important work rolling out the $800 million Resilient Homes Program rebuilding communities within the Byron, Clarence Valley, Lismore, Richmond Valley, Tweed and Kyogle local government areas, before being transitioned into the NSW Reconstruction Authority at an appropriate time.
 
For more information, visit www.planning.nsw.gov.au/flooding.