Category: NSW News

Real time traffic information is now available to motorists using local roads across 22 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in regional NSW.
 
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway welcomed the launch of the first expansion to the Live Traffic NSW website, which will see the addition of local road information alongside any impacts on the state-managed road network.
 
“This marks a new era in traffic data, with regional motorists now armed with the latest information so they can make informed decisions in real time,” Mr Farraway said.
 
“During emergencies like floods or bushfires, Live Traffic NSW will be the go to for motorists to help them make informed decisions and travel safely.
 
“The new technology improves the reach and detail of information on Live Traffic NSW, which means we can provide more reliable data to more drivers.
 
“And there’s more to come. By 2024, we’re aiming to have Live Traffic capture every road across every council in the state.”
 
Called OneRoad, a backend portal into Live Traffic NSW allows councils to feed their data in so road impacts across local and state roads are in the one place.
 
The technology is a response to feedback from communities and recommendations from the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements Report. The initial 22 LGAs were chosen in consultation with the NSW Police, Rural Fire Service and NSW State Emergency Service.
 
The local councils onboarded in this first phase are: Ballina, Bellingen, Bega, Byron, Central Darling, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Gwydir, Inverell, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lake Macquarie, Lismore, Maitland, MidCoast, Moree Plains, Nambucca Valley, Port Macquarie Hastings, Richmond Valley and Tamworth.
 
LGAs will continue to come onboard in stages, with the priority given to the regional councils who have been impacted most by bushfires and floods.
 
Live Traffic NSW data is available on the Transport for NSW Open Data Hub for third-party apps like Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze and TomTom

Health professionals will have the opportunity to increase their knowledge and skillset in older people’s mental health thanks to an additional $50,000 scholarship investment by the NSW Government.
 
The funding builds on previous investments of $300,000 over three years for older people’s mental health education scholarships for NSW Health staff.
 
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the additional funding in older people’s mental health education would support the delivery of safe, high quality care across the sector and continue to futureproof the workforce.
 
“This additional funding for scholarships will increase access to professional development and training opportunities for staff and enhance the care they provide to older people with mental health needs.”
 
The scholarships are available to NSW Health staff and staff in partner services who provide mental health care and support for older people with mental health.
 
Minister for Seniors Mark Coure said the additional investment will support the state’s growing population of older people and their mental health needs.
 
“There are more than 1.9 million seniors living right across NSW, and that number will only continue to grow, which means potentially more people needing assistance with their mental health,” Mr Coure said.
 
“By investing in our health professionals, we will have more people for seniors to turn to when they need help with their mental health.”
 
People who wish to find out more about the scholarships and how to apply can do so via HETI OPMH scholarship. Applications will be assessed by the Health Education and Training Institute in partnership with NSW Health.
 
The scholarships will be available for study in semester one, 2023 and build on those offered in 2021-22, which have been distributed across metropolitan and rural areas.
 
More information is available online at https://www.heti.nsw.gov.au/Placements-Scholarships-Grants/scholarships-and-grants/older-peoples-mental-health-services-scholarships

The NSW unemployment rate has again reached a record low, falling to 3.3 per cent in September, the lowest rate since monthly records began in 1978.
 
The NSW jobless rate was down 0.1 percentage points from August and remains below the national unemployment rate of 3.5 per cent.
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said the bulk of the rise in employment was driven by 17,900 more people securing part-time roles in September.
 
“NSW is experiencing the State’s lowest monthly unemployment rate on record which is important when we’re seeing the challenges of interest rates climbing and inflation rising,” Mr Kean said.
 
“Employment growth is booming in NSW, driven by a rise in part-time employment and the robust NSW economy.
 
“It is also very pleasing to see the female participation rate up by 0.1 percentage points in September to 61.8 per cent, remaining above the pre-COVID level of 60.2.”
 
Monthly hours worked in NSW also rose by 0.2 per cent in September.
 
The State’s participation rate rose to 66.0 per cent and is 0.7 percentage points higher than pre-COVID levels.
 
Employment in NSW is now 157,500 above and around 4 per cent higher than its pre-pandemic level.

A Minns Labor Government will strengthen the support offered to victims of crime by appointing an Independent Victims Commissioner, and extending Victims Support Services to the families of victims killed by a road crime.
 
NSW Labor will also host a public forum at NSW Parliament today with these organisations to discuss the state of victim’s support in New South Wales.
 
On the 29th November 2021 over 60 members of the Victims of Crime Interagency (VoCI) co signed a letter to Attorney General Mark Speakman detailing concerns about the operation of victims’ services in New South Wales. One year later there has still been no response.
 
Appointment of an Independent Victims Commissioner
A Minns Labor Government will appoint an Independent Victims Commissioner, who will act as an independent advocate for victims.
 
Presently the commissioner is the administrative head of victims’ services, responsible for budgetary and management oversight of the delivery of services to victims.

The Commissioner is placed in the impossible situation of being responsible for the agency that delivers services to victims, while being expected to act as an advocate for victims groups when the services are inadequate or inappropriate.

Extend counselling services to the families of victims killed by a road crime

A Minns Labor Government will extend victim support counselling services to the families of a person killed in a road crime.
 
Currently, 22 hours of free counselling are available to family members of a homicide victim, however road fatalities are excluded as they are not categorised as a ‘violent crime’.
 
NSW Labor knows that the current system is not working for victim survivors or the families of victims.
 
We recognise that a death caused by a criminal act of a driver has the same devastating impact on a family that an act of violence does, and we recognise that victims deserve and need an independent advocate in this area.
 
Under Labor’s plan, this will mean approximately 200-300 additional New South Wales residents are able to receive counselling annually, on top of the 18,000 who already access these services.
 
Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader said:

Under Labor, victim-survivors and the families of victims will finally have the independent advocate they always argued for, the independent advocate they have always deserved.
 
“For too long, road crime has been treated differently from other forms of violent crime when it comes to the way the families of victims are treated. It is time to fix this.”

Michael Daley, NSW Shadow Attorney General said:

“We need to recognise that a death caused by the criminal act of a driver has the same devastating impact on a family that an act of violence does.

“Currently, support counselling is available to anyone who has experienced an act of violence in New South Wales. And it is available to family members of a homicide victim.
 
“However, the families of victims killed by a driver convicted of dangerous driving are not eligible for counselling, as this is not classified as a ‘violent act’.
 
“Under a NSW Labor Government those suffering family members will get the support they need.”

Ryan Park, NSW Shadow Minister for Health said:
 
“The anguish that is felt by victims and their families lasts not days and weeks but months and years after the incident.
 
“Injuries aren’t just physical. Social anxiety, depression and feelings of fear all need to be considered and support provided to victims and families who are often left behind.
 
“NSW Labor will make sure they are provided with the much needed support if and when they need it.”

Camden and Campbelltown residents will benefit from new walking trails and bike tracks, refreshed high streets, an educational animal hub and a huge new sports complex thanks to the $5 billion WestInvest Fund.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet, Treasurer Matt Kean, Minister for Western Sydney David Elliott and Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman today announced the City of Campbelltown Council and Camden Council will receive more than $50 million in WestInvest funding for 13 transformational projects.
 
In Camden, $24 million has been allocated to two projects:
$14 million for the Cut Hill Reserve Sports Field Redevelopment project that will renew 18.5 hectares of public open space to deliver new recreation opportunities.
$10 million for the Camden Animal Shelter and Community Education Hub project to transform an industrial area into a community-focused shelter.
 
In Campbelltown, $26 million has been allocated to 11 projects:
$7.5 million for the Campbelltown City Centre Transformation project to revitalise the Queen Street precinct with new pedestrian links and event spaces.
$3.8 million for Macarthur Recreation Trail – Australian Botanic Garden, Mt Annan to Campbelltown project to enhance the green trail.
$2.5 million for the Glenfield Town Beautification project to reinvigorate the city centre and provide a safer, more inviting and engaging environment.
$2.3 million for the Connected Campbelltown – A network of shared use pathway links and circuits project to deliver 7.75km of recreation trails
$2.2 million for the Hurley Park – Early stories of Campbelltown’s Resilience project to restore one of the last convict-built structures in NSW
$1.5 million for the Simmos Beach Parklands – Activating the Upper Georges River project to enhance quality green space and support recreation
$1.4 million for the Kanbyugal Parklands – Mountain Bike Park project to convert an underutilised parcel of land into an inclusive mountain bike facility
$1.3 million for the Leumeah Youth Precinct project, a vibrant and active hub
$1.3 million for the Glenfield Urban Bike Park to deliver a BMX track for more facilities for wheeled activities
$977,880 for the St Helens Park Youth Space to deliver four BMX tracks
$681,063 for the Outdoor Fitness Facilities Program – For a Fitter Healthier Campbelltown project to upgrade outdoor fitness equipment at four sites.
 
Campbelltown City Council will contribute $460,480 towards the Macarthur Recreation Trail and the Simos Beach Parklands projects.
 
As part of the WestInvest Fund, $2 billion was reserved for priority Community Projects. This included $400 million for 15 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in West and South West Sydney, with each local council eligible for between $20 million and $35 million, depending on population size.
 
Mr Perrottet said the projects put forward by the Camden and Campbelltown councils would help build a brighter future for the people of Western Sydney.
 
“The Cut Hill Reserve Sports Field Redevelopment project will renew 18.5ha of green space with two double playing fields to support the many nearby sporting codes including archery, AFL, soccer, rugby and cricket clubs,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
Mr Kean said the Connected Campbelltown project will deliver 7.75km of new recreation links between key open spaces in highly-populated areas to allow more locals to get active.
 
“The Macarthur Recreation Trail project will build on existing links to connect Camden CBD, through the Australian Botanic Garden Mt Annan, to Campbelltown Train Station and CBD via Bow Bowing Creek, Western Sydney University and Macarthur Station,” Mr Kean said.
 
Mrs Tuckerman said the Camden Animal Shelter and Community Education Hub project in Smeaton Grange will transform an industrial works depot into a sustainable animal shelter.
 
“Councils have responsibility for pounds and animal shelters, so this project will set a new national standard for sustainable shelter design, embody shelter medicine principles and have a significant focus on community outreach.”
 
Mr Elliott said the funding for Simmos Beach Parklands will enhance the popular spot along the upper Georges River Corridor.
 
“The project will deliver viewing decks to ensure Simmos beach parklands remains a favourite destination to relax, exercise and cool down in summer,” Mr Elliott said.
 
Member for Camden Peter Sidgreaves said it is great to see WestInvest delivering community projects for Camden, Macarthur and Western Sydney.
 
“These projects are fast tracking council projects that support the local residents in our communities,” Mr Sidgreaves said.
 
Camden Mayor Therese Fedeli said the council is grateful the NSW Government is supporting it in delivering such key facilities and spaces.
 
“The Camden Animal Shelter and Education Hub will create employment, volunteer and partnership opportunities for our community and the Cut Hill Reserve project will extend the space’s capacity for use for new and existing users,” Cr Fedeli said.
 
Campbelltown Mayor George Greiss said his council is looking forward to getting the work underway to deliver 11 great projects across the city.
 
“Our community has told us that they want more greenery and active spaces in our public domain that respect and honour the heritage of our region,” Cr Greiss said.
 
“These projects reflect those community aspirations while increasing connectivity across the city, delivering recreation and lifestyle benefits for our new communities and also embellishing established suburbs.”
 
Announcements on other LGAs will be made soon.
 
The $5 billion WestInvest program was made possible by the Government’s successful WestConnex asset recycling strategy.
 
A further $1.6 billion from the $2 billion Community Project Grants is available to local community groups. A total of $3 billion is also set aside to deliver transformational projects that will benefit local communities, led by NSW Government agencies.
 
To find out more about WestInvest visit www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/westinvest

North West Sydney has seen more than $500 million invested in 24 new and upgraded schools thanks to the NSW Government’s historic commitment to public education infrastructure.  

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell joined Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Member for Riverstone Kevin Conolly today to announce the site for the new primary school in Nirimba Fields. 

Ms Mitchell said the new primary school site is part of the NSW Government’s continuing commitment to deliver great public infrastructure for these growing communities.  

“North West Sydney is a fantastic place to live, work and raise a family, and it’s the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government that has, in partnership with the community, invested more than $500 million into new and upgraded schools,” Ms Mitchell said.  

“This government has overseen the expansion and growing prosperity of these thriving communities, and we are committed to supporting their continued growth and success.”

Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said the NSW Government has a proven track record when it comes to infrastructure delivery in North West and Western Sydney.

“Never before has North West Sydney experienced this scale of investment, and the NSW Liberals & Nationals are the only ones able to ensure this pipeline continues to grow,” Mr Elliott said.  

“The NSW Government will continue to invest in North Western Sydney to deliver for growing communities and families.”  

Mr Conolly said he was pleased to see the continued investment public education in North West Sydney region. 

“We want all students across NSW to have access to modern learning facilities that support them to achieve their best,” Mr Conolly said.  

“This government has a clear track record of delivery and I look forward to seeing this new project take and the opportunities the new school will offer their students.” 

The new primary school at Nirimba Fields will be located on the corner of Triton and Nabthorpe Parade in Nirimba Fields.

Since 2019, the NSW Government has delivered 11 major school projects in North West Sydney with a further 13 underway, an investment of more than $500 million in public education infrastructure.  

The NSW Government is investing $8.6 billion in school infrastructure over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 160 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This builds on the more than $9.1 billion invested in projects delivered since 2017, a program of $17.7 billion in public education infrastructure. 

Business owners in Sydney’s CBD and surrounding suburbs are today invited to get involved in the largest light festival in the Southern Hemisphere, Vivid Sydney, and apply for the Vivid Sydney’s Local Business Program.
 
Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin said Vivid Sydney’s Local Business Program would support the local business community and encourage festival attendees to dine, shop, spend, stay and experience the Harbour City.
 
“Sydney is well and truly open for business, and we’re calling on our retailers, hoteliers, hospitality groups, entertainment, travel and tourism operators in the Sydney CBD and surrounding suburbs to join the Local Business Program and truly immerse themselves in Vivid Sydney,” Mr Franklin said.
 
“Each year, Vivid Sydney brings something bigger and brighter to wow the hundreds of thousands of people who visit each year. This program is a fantastic opportunity for business owners to expose themselves to a large audience of potential new customers.
 
“Nominations open today and interested parties are invited to present ideas, special offers and experiences for inclusion in the 2023 Vivid Sydney Local Business Program.”
 
Participants are encouraged to host a one-of-a-kind Vivid Sydney experience, exclusive offer or light up building façades or Harbour vessels over the festival with assistance from Vivid Sydney.
 
The return of Vivid Sydney in 2022 saw Sydney hotels experience their best weekend occupancy rates since 2019, according to figures released by Tourism Accommodation Australia, with bookings jumping to above 80 per cent for the first time since the pandemic began.
 
In 2022, more than 650,000 Vivid Sydney attendees dined out in a CBD restaurant or hotel while 2.1 million enjoyed a sit-down or takeaway meal.
 
Vivid Sydney 2023 will light up Sydney from Friday 26 May to Saturday 17 June. Applications can be made here and closes on 17 November 2022.

Families across NSW will be able to access cheaper, high quality childcare after the legislation underpinning the Government’s landmark women’s economic opportunity reforms passed Parliament.
 
The NSW Childcare and Economic Opportunity Fund Act 2022 will drive up to $5 billion of investment in the sector over 10 years to support NSW families with access to childcare.
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said the legislation would provide long-term certainty to the sector and boost women’s workforce participation as part of the NSW Government’s $15.9 billion investment in childcare and early childhood education.
 
“We have enshrined this fund into law to give more NSW families access to high quality, affordable childcare. Importantly, it will boost women’s economic security by dismantling the barriers for mothers wanting to take on more paid work,” Mr Kean said.
 
“These landmark reforms will help create new places in childcare deserts for parents who face the highest disincentives to work.”
 
The NSW Government’s investment in childcare and early childhood education, delivered alongside the Commonwealth’s childcare reforms, are expected to allow up to 95,000 women to enter the workforce or take on more hours and boost affordable childcare supply by up to 47,000 places.  
 
Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said the Fund added to other measures announced in the 2022-23 NSW Budget to transform women’s economic opportunity, boost women’s workplace participation and tackle the gender pay gap.
 
“This fund will help close the gender workforce participation gap by up to 14 per cent within a decade and give more women the genuine choice to re-enter the workforce when they want,” Mrs Taylor said.
 
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the Fund will allow the early childhood sector to expand and innovate by establishing new services, growing existing services, and supporting the sector more broadly.
 
“Access to high quality early childhood education and care is one of the most important things we can do to give children the best start in life, helping young children develop their social skills and open up lifelong opportunities from their earliest years,” Ms Mitchell said.
 
“This fund will guarantee investment in this key sector, supporting it to provide the highest quality of education and care during the formative years of a child’s life.”
 
The NSW Government will conduct extensive consultation with families and the sector to design the rollout of the Childcare and Economic Opportunity Fund. A board will be established to oversee funding decisions about projects. 
 
The fund is due to open for applications mid-next year.

At least 10,000 temporary teachers and support staff across the state will be offered permanent roles as part of the NSW Government’s plans to shift surplus teachers into permanent positions.  
  
A successful pilot scheme last year saw temporary teachers offered permanent roles in schools where there was demand. 
  
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell confirmed that from early next year, temporary teachers in areas of need will be offered permanent roles once again. 
  
“This is an issue that has been raised with me by teachers and principals alike, including our Ambassador School Principals when we met earlier this year, and I made it clear that I wanted to have more teachers in permanent roles,” Ms Mitchell said.  
  
“As such, the Department of Education has been working to identify teachers and support staff in temporary roles who could be transitioned. At least 10,000 roles have been identified and the Department will continue to work directly with principals to identify more. 
  
“The pandemic allowed us to bypass the existing staffing agreement to work on responsible ways of converting excess temporary teachers to permanent positions.
  
“We have more teachers working in NSW public schools than ever before, and we need to ensure they are working in the places we need them most.  
  
“Progress in this area has been hampered due to the current Staffing Agreement with the union, which has limited the ability to offer temporary teachers a permanent position. However, I am determined to see more teachers in permanent roles across the state and will press ahead regardless. 
  
Ms Mitchell also confirmed plans to convert temporary Student Learning Support Officers (SLSO) roles into permanent positions.  
  
“Our Student Learning Support Officers are critical – they play a vital role in our schools alongside our teachers, often working with our more disadvantaged students and those who have additional needs.  
  
“We want to give those SLSOs on temporary contracts more certainty by also offering them permanent roles.” 
 
This latest action is in addition to the NSW Government’s ongoing $125m Teacher Supply Strategy to attract and retain more teachers in our schools.  
  
The Government has already announced programs to fast track high-calibre graduates and experienced professionals into our classrooms, recruit more teachers from overseas and plans to reward our best teachers with higher salaries in order to keep them in the classroom.   

The NSW Government thanks the more than 850,000 carers across NSW for their significant work as we celebrate the 30^th anniversary of National Carers Week.
 
Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Services Natasha Maclaren-Jones said National Carers Week is an opportunity to recognise the crucial support that carers provide and to thank them for their contribution to our community.
 
“This year’s theme ‘Millions of Reasons to Care’ is a testament to the endless hours of support NSW carers provide,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
 
“Caring for a loved one takes unimaginable dedication and patience and this is a week to highlight the vital work they do.
 
“These selfless individuals in our community don’t look for thanks and praise but their incredible efforts need to be celebrated.”
 
In NSW, carers provide help to people with disability, mental illness, chronic illness, frail age, dementia or drug and alcohol dependency. Almost 80,000 carers are young people 25 years or younger.
 
NSW carer Levina provides care and support for her younger brother.
 
“My little brother has autism and is non-verbal. I’ve basically been his carer all his life. There are some tough moments but nothing brings me more joy than seeing him live his life to the fullest – happy, healthy and thriving. He’s my best friend,” Levina said.
“Carers should know they’re not alone. There are so many of us out there who are in the same boat as you. Just remember your wellbeing is as important as the person you care for.”
 
The NSW Government has committed $4.9 million to support carers as part of the NSW Carers Strategy 2020-2030.
 
Support is available through the Carers Gateway. Visit www.carergateway.gov.au or call 1800 422 737.
 
National Carers Week runs from Sunday 16 to Saturday 22 October 2022.