Category: NSW News

COVID Smart settings in NSW schools have been revised, giving students the first taste of normal school life since the pandemic began two years ago.
 
Core COVID Smart measures will remain in place, including enhanced cleaning and maximising natural and mechanical ventilation in line with health advice.
 
From Monday 28 February:

• Cohorting requirements and activity restrictions will be relaxed – enabling students to engage and interact more freely across classes and year groups.
• Schools will be able to welcome more visitors onto school grounds, including parents, and will resume activities such as assemblies and school camps.
• Mask requirements will be lifted for high school students and staff.

From Monday, 7 March:

• Mask requirements will be lifted for primary school and early education staff.

 
Staff in Schools for Specific Purposes will continue to be required to wear masks based on health advice. 
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the relaxation of some measures while keeping others in place was a sensible approach that gives students, staff and parents more freedoms to enjoy school life while keeping the school community safe.
 
“It is time to afford our students and parents more normality. Everyone wants to get back to the school activities and events we all love,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“The return to school and the start of term has been a success, COVID transmission has reduced throughout the community, and while there will still be cases and bumps in schools it is time for our students to enjoy normal school life.”
 
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said this was the first time since the pandemic started two years ago that students have enjoyed this level of normality.
 
“We know transmission in schools is extremely low, and not a single school has closed since school returned despite the levels of community transmission,” Ms Mitchell said.
 
“Relaxing cohorting and restrictions on visitors will let more parents engage with their child’s school and allow students to participate in cross-year group activities, which is welcome news for both students and parents everywhere.
 
“The return to school, and now the return to school life, is successful because of the tremendous efforts and teamwork from all parents, staff and students. I thank all of our school communities for their support.”
 
COVID Smart settings will continue to be reviewed and updated, as necessary on health advice.

By popular demand, an additional 5,000 fee-free Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) courses are now up for grabs to help people get jobs in the hospitality industry.
 
Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens and Minister for Hospitality Kevin Anderson said thousands of people had taken up the opportunity to gain the free qualification courtesy of NSW Government funding, since it rolled out two weeks ago.
 
“These RSA courses have been more popular than happy hour at your local pub or club, and now we’re shouting a second round to help thousands more people get jobs,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“Whether you are a school-leaver or looking for a career change, now is the perfect time to gain your free qualification to enter the dynamic hospitality industry.”
 
The RSA courses are available through TAFE NSW and other registered training organisations, which will be delivered either online or face-to-face in less than a day.
 
People who have previously worked in the industry are also being encouraged to return to the sector. Anyone whose RSA competency card has expired within the past two years, or will expire before 30 June can complete a free online refresher course.
 
“The hospitality sector supports more than 300,000 jobs across NSW and it’s fantastic that so many people have already taken up the free RSA courses,” Mr Anderson said.
 
“We know staff shortages have been impacting the hospitality sector and that is why we have extended the free RSA courses to get people behind the bar, to serve the drinks and collect money for the till.”
 
Clubs NSW CEO Josh Landis said the shortage of workers has been a huge challenge for NSW clubs and welcomes the extension of the free RSA courses.
 
“We hope this initiative will encourage more people to consider a career in hospitality, which offers incredible opportunities for professional growth and development,” Mr Landis said.
 
For more information visit, https://skills.education.nsw.gov.au/rsa.

Local councils across West and South-West Sydney will be eligible for up to $400 million in funding as part of the first wave of the $5 billion WestInvest program.
 
Residents will also be invited to put forward ideas for community enhancing projects ahead of the WestInvest program launch at the end of March, as part of a “Have Your Say” campaign.
 
The new $5 billion WestInvest program is made possible by the Government’s successful WestConnex asset recycling strategy, which will help fund and deliver transformational projects that will enhance communities and help create jobs throughout West and South-West Sydney.
 
A total of $2 billion will be reserved for high priority community projects with an initial $400 million directly allocated to 15 Western Sydney Local Government Areas to advance shovel-ready local projects.
 
The initial Local Government tranche will deliver immediate community benefit, with each local council eligible for between $20 million and $35 million, depending on population size.
 
The remaining $1.6 billion of the $2 billion community project fund will be allocated through a competitive round of grants open to non-government organisations, including community groups, not for profits, Local Aboriginal Land Councils and local councils.
 
The $2 billion community project fund, including the Local Government tranche, is set to launch before the end of March for eight weeks, with successful projects expected to be determined by September. 
 
The NSW Government will be consulting with local councils and other key stakeholders on the draft guidelines over the coming weeks to ensure WestInvest delivers the greatest community benefit.
 
A further $3 billion will be made available to NSW Government agencies to deliver transformational projects that are ready to go and will benefit local communities. The community is being invited to put forward ideas to help ensure the best projects are funded through the “Have Your Say” campaign.
WestInvest funding will be provided to build new and improved facilities that will deliver community benefit and help turbocharge economic recovery across six areas:
 

• Parks, urban spaces and green space;
• Enhancing community infrastructure such as local sporting grounds;
• Modernising local schools;
• Creating and enhancing arts and cultural facilities;
• Revitalising high-streets;
• Clearing local traffic.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the landmark program would have the twin benefits of delivering new infrastructure and supporting jobs in one of the youngest, fastest growing and most diverse regions in the nation.

“West and South-West Sydney are already incredible places to live, and this program will secure a brighter future for families and residents by helping build new and improved facilities,” Mr Perrottet said.

“We want people to love living locally, and this investment will deliver improved facilities, more open spaces, convenient services and stimulate the economy.

“This unprecedented boost will capitalise on the major investments we have made in critical projects, such as Metro West and Western Sydney Aerotropolis, to transform Western Sydney.”

Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the area was emerging strongly from the pandemic and WestInvest would help take the pivotal region to a new level.

“Western Sydney is one of the most diverse and dynamic economic centres in the world and WestInvest will support the region’s growth to make residents’ lives here truly exceptional,” Mr Ayres said.

“Our communities here are a rich mix, with a huge cross-section of cultures and people from all walks of life, and the programs funded through WestInvest will reflect and enhance that diversity.

“The pandemic made it clear where we need to do more to improve liveability in our communities and deliver better local facilities and I am excited to see work already underway to turn WestInvest ideas into reality.”

Treasurer Matt Kean said the WestInvest program would be rolled out as rapidly as possible to ensure West and South-West Sydney communities could see benefits quickly. 

“This is a well-thought out, planned and transparent investment program that will move quickly to ensure the people of West and South-West Sydney see real change, really soon,” Mr Kean said.

“This is about funding transformational projects that everyone will benefit from every day – it’s about revitalised high streets, improved parks, new sporting fields, more pools, better local traffic flow and active transport links and much more.”

Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman said the Government is strongly supporting locally-led solutions to improve LGAs and communities.

“This major investment by the NSW Government will bring together our local councils and their communities to develop and improve targeted and significant local infrastructure projects,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

“I encourage everyone in the LGAs to submit suggestions. We want to support our rich and diverse communities in West and South-West Sydney in ways they want and need.”

The 15 Local Government Areas eligible for support through WestInvest are:

1. Blacktown	6. Canterbury-Bankstown	11. Liverpool
2. Blue Mountains	7. Cumberland	12. Parramatta
3. Burwood	8. Fairfield	13. Penrith
4. Camden	9. Hawkesbury	14. Strathfield
5. Campbelltown	10. The Hills	15. Wollondilly

The $5 billion Westinvest Fund is broken down as follows:

• $3 billion for NSW Government agencies to deliver transformational projects;
• $2 billion for high priority community projects;
  • $1.6 billion allocated to community groups, non-government organisations and local councils;
  • $400m allocated directly to the 15 local councils.

 
The allocation of all $5 billion will be informed by the community “Have Your Say” process.
 
For more information visit nsw.gov.au/westinvest

More than $700 million in container refunds have now been earned by NSW residents through Return and Earn as the State reaches the 7 billion drink container mark.

Environment Minister James Griffin said Return and Earn has well and truly become part of life in New South Wales with 78 per cent of adults having participated and two-thirds of participants doing so once a month or more.

“Return and Earn is a triumph because it hits that sweet spot of improving our environment and delivering direct economic wins to the community,” Mr Griffin said.

“Along the way, the Return and Earn network has achieved a 52 per cent reduction in the volume of drink container litter in NSW and delivered more than 625,000 tonnes in materials recycled.”

“Not only is it having a measurable environmental impact with two in every three containers supplied in NSW redeemed through the scheme for recycling, Return and Earn has also become a stalwart of community fundraising activities in NSW.

“More than $30 million has already been raised for charities such as PCYC NSW, the Starlight Foundation and community groups via donations and fees since the scheme started.

“It’s encouraging that thousands of schools, community groups, charities and sporting clubs are making Return and Earn the new ‘sausage sizzle’, helping raise much needed funds for their own projects and causes.

“Return and Earn is an inspiring example of how small changes to our routine can have a significant collective impact.”

Return and Earn is a partnership between the NSW Government, scheme coordinator Exchange for Change and network operator TOMRA Cleanaway. Launched in December 2017 it has become the state’s largest litter initiative.

More information on Return and Earn is available at www.returnandearn.org.au.

The following statement is attributable to Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) National Secretary Mark Diamond:

The NSW Government has withdrawn its legal action against rail workers, and Sydney train services will slowly return over the coming days.

It is now clear that the decision to shut down the Sydney train network had nothing to do with rail workers. It is up to the NSW Government to explain how and why that decision was made.

For the past two days, Sydney Trains workers have copped abuse from stranded commuters on platforms and on social media because people wrongly believed the cancellation of rail services was due to a union strike.

That belief was fuelled by false statements made on 2GB and repeated at a nationally-televised media conference by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Scott Morrison lied about a non-existent strike to score cheap political points. That lie compounded the anxiety and stress being felt by millions of people in Sydney.

Strikes are a legitimate industrial tool for workers, but we never take strike action lightly. To be accused of taking strike action, when our members were doing no such thing, was utterly bizarre.

If Scott Morrison has any decency whatsoever, he will apologise to Sydney Trains workers for his brazen lie. I am happy to take Mr Morrison for a tour of Sydney Trains depots so that he can deliver his apology in person.

The Electrical Trades Union has condemned the NSW Government and Premier Perrottet for shutting down Sydney’s train network causing chaos across the city.

ETU NSW Secretary, Allen Hicks said the Premier and Government must bear full responsibility for the commuter inconvenience.  

“Rather than sit down and negotiate in good faith, the Premier and the Government have decided to cancel train services, wreaking chaos across the Sydney transport system,” Mr Hicks said.

“The Premier is directly responsible for this aggressive, unilateral and unnecessary shut down by Sydney Trains.” 

The ETU has more than 1,000 members at Sydney Trains who have been taking industrial action for four months. Every ETU member is at work today continuing to provide essential maintenance and safety services.

Sydney Trains is currently demanding that workers take a cut to real pay while sacrificing major conditions.

The company has offered just 2% per annum pay increases compared to official inflation in calendar year 2021 which was 3.5%.

The State Government Wages Cap is 2.5% but rail workers have been offered just 2%, along with the 0.5% superannuation increase which the Government is legally required to pay. This means workers are being asked to fund their own superannuation increase. 

Sydney Trains has also attacked ETU member conditions, seeking to force them to work every weekend along with increased night shifts.

ETU members have firmly rejected these proposed changes which would destroy work life balance. Despite this, the ETU has been careful to avoid inconveniencing the public and has ensured the network operates safely at all times.

Mr Hicks said the Premier had the power to end the chaos now and must do so. 

“We call on Premier Perrottet to act immediately to resolve this dispute and get the trains running. He must put commuters first and personally sit down with ETU and Combined Rail Union leaders to resolve this dispute,” Mr Hicks said.

“The ETU remains open to a fair and reasonable EBA offer that meets our members’ key demands: a fair pay rise, job security, no loss of conditions and an end to privatisation.”

Budding agronomists, livestock managers and farmers will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a two-year employment program to get a head start in the agriculture industry.
 
Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said the Agricultural Pathways Program targets recent school leavers to join the managing teams of the Department of Primary Industries’ 13,000-hectare research station portfolio.
 
“Ag provides incredible career opportunities and a fantastic way of life, and we are looking forward to the next generation stepping into this space,” Mr Saunders said.
 
“From precision agriculture to drone technology and finding innovative solutions for tomorrow, there has never been a more exciting time to be in the industry.
 
“The best way to secure our agriculture workforce for tomorrow is to invest in the next generation today.”
 
Successful applicants will take on the role of Farm Assistant, with key accountabilities including general crop, pasture, animal and farm operations, horticultural activities, livestock handling, tractor and farm equipment maintenance and general farm upkeep.
 
The program adds to the NSW Government’s approach to supporting the future agriculture workforce of NSW, with education and skill-based programs that start in primary and secondary school, through to tertiary and post-tertiary education levels, including Indigenous Pathway opportunities and the dedicated educational institution Tocal College.
 
Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said it is important for the NSW Government to continue thinking outside the box when it comes to vocational education and training.
 
“We want to provide more opportunities for young people to get the skills they need for the jobs they want, and this program is another great example of that,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“By giving school leavers a foot-in-the-door, they can learn on the job and build industry connections, which in turn helps employers identify talent for ongoing roles within the sector.”
 
Minister for Regional Youth Ben Franklin said the program will play a key role in promoting agricultural careers in the regions for young people across the state.
                       
“Not only does the Agricultural Pathways program offer employment and training to young people, it also encourages them to stay local instead of having to travel to a city for further education, work, or training, which is a fantastic result,” Mr Franklin said.
 
Applications are open for the NSW Government’s Agricultural Pathways Program. For more information visit https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/who-we-are/career-opportunities

The people of NSW will have close to 300 new paramedics to call on in the coming weeks following a graduation ceremony held at Sydney Olympic Park today.

Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the additional graduates are a welcome boost to the NSW Ambulance workforce, which has been doing an incredible job on the frontline throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Across the health system, we’ve seen our health workers go above and beyond during the pandemic and our wonderful NSW Ambulance paramedics are among those leading the charge,” Mrs Taylor said.

“These vital reinforcements come at a crucial time and the entire State will benefit from the surge.”

Speaking at the NSW Ambulance Paramedic graduation ceremony at Sydney Olympic Park today, Mrs Taylor congratulated the 153 new paramedic interns graduating today, with a further 80 paramedic interns beginning four weeks of intensive induction next week, and 58 already on the road.

“It is really wonderful that many of our paramedic interns were able to join today’s graduation ceremony virtually from locations across regional NSW.

“Importantly, 63 paramedics of today’s 153 graduates will be starting their new roles in rural and regional areas, including the Blue Mountains and the Central Coast.”

NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan welcomed this newest group of interns and congratulated them on achieving this milestone after completing three years at University.

“I’m incredibly proud of what our clinicians, emergency medical call takers and dispatchers have done to serve the community in what has been the busiest period in our history. What they have achieved and continue to do so is nothing short of remarkable,” Dr Morgan said.

The NSW Government has made record investments in NSW Ambulance recruiting 750 paramedics and control centre staff in the last four years as part of the State Wide Enhancement Program (SWEP).

The NSW Government has invested more than $9 billion in NSW Ambulance since 2011 including $1.4 billion in the 2021-22 budget. This includes $214 million for a new State Operations Centre at Sydney Olympic Park.

The NSW Government is taking a staged and flexible approach to the easing of restrictions as the State continues to take a measured response to managing COVID-19.
 
From the beginning of Friday, 18 February 2022, the following adjustments will be made to the current settings:

• No density limits (previously one person per 2sqm for hospitality venues);
• QR check-ins will only be required for nightclubs, and for all music festivals with more than 1,000 people. Hospitals, aged and disability facilities may use their existing systems for recording visitors;
• Singing and dancing will be permitted at all venues, except music festivals, where singing and dancing can recommence from 25 February;
• The recommendation to work from home will change and be returned to the employer’s discretion.

 From the beginning of Friday, 25 February 2022, the following adjustments will be made to the settings:

• Masks will only be mandated on public transport, planes, and indoors at airports, hospitals, aged and disability care facilities, corrections facilities and indoor music festivals with more than 1,000 people;
• Masks are encouraged for indoor settings where you cannot maintain a safe distance from others and for customer facing retail staff to protect vulnerable people who must access these premises and services;
• Each State Government agency will review where it may be appropriate for public-facing staff to wear masks and will implement as necessary; and
• The 20,000 person cap on music festivals will be removed, with singing and dancing permitted. Vaccination requirements will remain for indoor music festivals over 1,000 people, with attendees required to have at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Hotel quarantine for unvaccinated returning travellers will be reduced from 14 to 7 days from 21 February.
 
With hospitalisation and ICU rates easing and booster uptake now above 50 per cent a staged return of non-urgent elective surgery across all NSW public hospitals has commenced and will be increased through February to March.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government is continuing to adopt a flexible and measured approach to protect the community and our health system.
 
“We don’t want restrictions in place for any longer than necessary and with hospitalisation and ICU rates trending downwards now is the right time to make sensible changes,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“As we continue to move forward out of the pandemic we are ensuring that we keep people safe and people in jobs so life can return to normal as quickly and safely as possible.”
 
“Our frontline health staff have done an incredible job protecting the community and we need everyone to step up and do the right thing and get their booster shots to help keep themselves, their family and the community safe.”
 
Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the NSW Government has worked hard to strike the right balance between re-opening the State and keeping everyone safe.
 
”Regional communities have already welcomed back visitors with open arms, and these further freedoms are a big win for everyone who has done the right thing to get us this far,” Mr Toole said.
 
“This measured response will reinvigorate our regional communities, with country shows, festivals and other major events able to return bigger than ever.”
 
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said we needed everyone to play their part as we dealt with the challenges the pandemic would continue to throw at us.
 
“As we are moving more into the endemic stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, these changes are giving us more of our old life back but it still makes a lot of sense for us all to be cautious,” Mr Hazzard said.
 
“The best outcome is still to avoid getting the virus by protecting yourself, your family and the broader community.”
 
People aged 16 years and older can receive their booster dose at three months after receiving their second dose of any of the COVID-19 vaccines. You can book your COVID-19 vaccine or your booster shot, via www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/vaccination/get-vaccinated.
 
More information is available at nsw.gov.au.