Category: NSW News

Small businesses that experienced a downturn over summer can now apply for a NSW Government support payment of up to $5,000 per week through Service NSW.

Treasurer Matt Kean said the Small Business Support Program will provide cashflow assistance to help businesses get through the current COVID-19 outbreak and keep workers employed.

“Over the summer, Omicron meant many people chose to stay at home, which hit many small businesses hard especially in the hospitality and tourism sectors,” Mr Kean said.

“Our Small Business Support Program is about making sure businesses that are viable over the medium and long term get through Omicron in good shape so we can bounce back better as case numbers fall.

“Small business is the engine of the NSW economy and this targeted program is designed to keep that engine going through this temporary economic shock.”

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the Service NSW Business Concierge team and grant assessors are standing by ready to assist customers with applications and get financial support into the hands of business owners.

“The majority of customers submitting complete and eligible applications can expect to receive payment within five to 10 business days of approval of their application,” Mr Dominello said.

Minister for Small Business Eleni Petinos said the program was part of a suite of responses to the Omicron wave and was designed to help the businesses in greatest need.

“The program will provide targeted support to businesses with an annual turnover of between $75,000 and $50 million that experienced a decline in turnover of at least 40 per cent in January 2022 and the start of February 2022,” Ms Petinos said.

“The payment for employing businesses will cover up to 20 per cent of weekly payroll, up to a maximum of $5,000 per week. Eligible non-employing businesses, such as sole traders, will receive $500 per week.
“This program is important to assist small businesses with cash flow and to continue trading.”

Funds can be used to cover business expenses such as wages, rent, loss of perishable goods, professional services and other costs.

Applications can be made online through the Service NSW MyAccount, by visiting a local service centre or by calling 13 77 88.

For more information on the support program, please visit:
https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/2022-small-business-support-program

Commercial interest in renewable generation and storage projects representing almost 40 gigawatts and more than $100 billion of potential investment have been received in the registration of interest for the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).

Treasurer and Energy Minister Matt Kean said the overwhelming result shows that the Hunter and Central Coast will continue to be the energy powerhouse of NSW long into the future.

“These results show that energy investors see the Hunter and Central Coast as some of the best investment destinations anywhere in the country, which will translate into jobs and prosperity for the region,” Mr Kean said.

“Renewable Energy Zones are vital to ensuring the future reliability and affordability of electricity in NSW as traditional coal fired power stations close down over the coming decades.”
Commercial interest has been registered in:

• 24 solar energy projects
• 13 onshore and seven offshore wind energy projects
• 35 large-scale batteries and
• eight pumped hydro projects.

Together, these projects have the potential to deliver more than 100,000 gigawatt hours of renewable energy a year – equivalent to the annual output of up to 10 coal fired power stations.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said that the results of the registration of interest showed that the region is set to reap the jobs and investment rewards from the transformation of the energy system.   

“The REZ will not only attract investment in clean energy, it will also underpin the growth of new low carbon industries such as green hydrogen, ammonia and metals production which the world is going to need as it decarbonises,” Mr Crouch said.

Member for Upper Hunter, Dave Layzell, said the renewable energy zone provide a boost to the region and set up the state to be an economic and energy superpower.

“The Hunter-Central Coast region is the perfect location for a new REZ as it has good renewable energy resources, access to transmission, transport and port infrastructure, and most importantly, a highly skilled workforce,” Mr Layzell said.

The response to the Hunter-Central Coast REZ continues the huge market interest in the Renewable Energy Zones that are being developed across NSW, following earlier processes in the Central West Orana, New England and South West regions which have attracted a combined 95 gigawatts of interest.
 
The Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo) is in the early stages of planning the Hunter-Central Coast REZ and will be using this information to inform the timing, capacity and boundaries of the Hunter-Central Coast REZ.
 
EnergyCo will be engaging closely with industry, local government, local communities and other stakeholders as it progresses the design and delivery of the REZ.
 
It is expected that the Hunter-Central Coast REZ will be formally declared under the NSW Government’s Electricity Roadmap legislation by mid-2022.
 
More information can be found  HERE

Netball NSW is delighted to announce the 12 athletes who have been selected for the 2022 NSW 19U Team which will contest the National Netball Championships in Hobart in April.

The team includes five Suncorp Super Netball Training Partners with Sophie Fawns and Audrey Little from the NSW Swifts selected and GIANTS Charli Fidler, Erin O’Brien and Mille Roach making the cut too. 

“To be given a Training Partner contract indicates a readiness to step into Super Netball and to have five State Team athletes in that position is a testament to the strength of the QBE Swifts and GIANTS Netball Academies, Netball NSW Performance programs and the Origin Energy Premier League competition,” Margaret Hamley, General Manager of Performance & Pathways at Netball NSW, said.

As well as the Training Partners the team also includes a number of athletes from the QBE Swifts and GIANTS Netball Academies. 

Jamie Podmore Taylor, Ella Johnson (GIANTS Academy) and Kiara Bloor and Charlotte Smith (QBE Swifts Academy) have all had previous NSW State Team campaign experience yet, due to the COVID-enforced cancellations of the 2020 and 2021 Nationals, are yet to experience a National Netball Championship.

Samantha Bondietti (QBE Swifts Academy) has progressed through the ACT pathway and is welcomed to NSW as she embarks on a new chapter at university.

For Lucy Matthews (GIANTS Academy) and Erin Bloor, 2022 will be their first State Team campaign. Both athletes are exceptional role models who have demonstrated tenacity and resilience to strive to  achieve their goals.

“Netball NSW is proud of the 12 athletes selected in the 2022 19U State Team and wishes them the best of luck for the campaign ahead,” Hamley added.

Around 300,000 households across the State have taken advantage of the NSW Government’s new voucher program Parents NSW, offering $250 in vouchers as a thank you for their efforts to support learning from home in 2021.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said since its launch on 7 February, there have been more than 1.5 million vouchers issued to NSW families, totaling more than $75 million dollars in parents’ pockets.

“The State-wide uptake in just seven days is staggering,” Mr Perrottet said.

“More than 118,424 households applied for vouchers in the first 24 hours, the most successful start to a voucher program we have had to date.

“But as well as helping cut the cost of living for families, businesses are also getting a much-needed boost. In one week, parents have redeemed 12,500 vouchers spending around $970,000 in Stay NSW and Discover NSW registered businesses Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the numbers pointed to the importance of targeted support delivered through the Service NSW app.

“This is Australian-first digital technology putting money straight into the pockets of parents,” Mr Dominello said.

“From those hundreds of thousands of customers who have already applied, the transaction has received 97 per cent thumbs up.

“If anyone is having any trouble with their application please contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 who can help with understanding the eligibility criteria and applying.”

The Parents NSW program provides each eligible household with at least one school-enrolled child where home learning took place in 2021 with five $50 vouchers which can be redeemed at Discover NSW and Stay NSW registered businesses.

It’s not too late for tourism, recreation and accommodation businesses to register. Parents NSW vouchers are valid until 9 October, 2022. For more information and details on how to apply, visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/parents-nsw-vouchers

The NSW Government is supporting the creation of local manufacturing jobs in Western Sydney with a $70 million investment to transition the state’s bus fleet to zero emissions technology.
 
Western Sydney based company Custom Denning has been awarded a contract to design, manufacture and assembly 79 new electric buses.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Transport and Veterans David Elliott toured the St Mary’s factory this morning to inspect the production line and meet workers.
 
“This is a true Western Sydney success story and our Government is proud to have played a part in this business producing the first locally-built electric bus,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“Custom Denning employs 160 workers at their St Mary’s factory and this investment will now provide more jobs to ensure our buses are built to the highest standard.
 
“Our Government is getting closer to securing a cleaner, healthier future for the people of NSW and at the same time this electric bus transition will generate hundreds of local manufacturing jobs, which is an amazing outcome for our state.” 
 
Minister for Transport and Veterans David Elliott said the $70 million investment takes the number of bus orders placed with Custom Denning past 100, which will help drive a post pandemic jobs recovery and a boost for local manufacturing.
 
“The NSW Government’s commitment to transition the entire 8,000-plus bus fleet is supercharging jobs and manufacturing in Western Sydney,” Mr Elliott said.
 
“Bus customers are already experiencing the benefits of electric buses from Penrith to Bondi, and we will continue to back local manufacturing.
 
“I’m committed to exploring opportunities to secure more local manufacturing, component supply and workforce skills development to boost our economy.”
 
Once built, the 79 buses will operate services in Sydney’s inner west. Transport for NSW, in collaboration with its contracted bus operators, have ordered 101 electric buses from Custom Denning.

The NSW Government has announced nearly $5 million in grant funding to support Aboriginal families and communities staying safe and connected to critical services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Franklin said directly investing in Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) is making a real difference to communities, many of them in remote and regional locations.

“We know that COVID has had a significant impact on our Aboriginal communities across the state,” Mr Franklin said.

“Providing funding to Aboriginal communities and ACCOs is vital to ensuring everyone across the State has access to essential services to keep them physically and socially well, while also remaining connected to the places and people most important to them.”

Mr Franklin said today the COVID-19 Aboriginal Community Response Grants Program is being extended for another three months until April 29, 2022.

Funding of between $1,000 and $10,000 will be available to ACCOs across NSW to support social, emotional and physical wellbeing, as well as responding to immediate needs in Aboriginal communities.

To date this program has funded 176 projects totaling $1.5 million to provide local responses to Aboriginal people impacted by COVID-19, particularly vulnerable community members including Elders, young people, and those with underlying chronic health conditions.

In a second program, the $3.4 million COVID-19 Aboriginal Community Partnership Support Program is supporting 19 Aboriginal organisations.

Selected Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations in NSW were invited to apply for grants of between $50,000 and $250,000 in recognition of their significant role in supporting their member organisations across the state and to continue delivering community outreach services across NSW.

Mr Franklin said grant recipients were members of the NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations (CAPO), NSW Stolen Generation organisations and local decision-making alliances (LDM).

BlaQ Aboriginal Corporation was funded $246,170 to provide support and connections to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQ+ people across NSW.

First Peoples Disability Network (FPDN) received $250,000 funding to provide advocacy and accessible multi-media communications to Aboriginal people with a disability as well as their families.

La Perouse Aboriginal Community Alliance received $228,600 to establish a COVID Working Group to identity areas of need across their community as well as providing increased support for mental health.

“COVID-19 continues to impact Aboriginal people and the response of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) during the past two years has been significant. These grants will build on this by enabling local community organisations to continue and grow their important work,” Mr Franklin said.

The NSW Govermnent’s tour of a Western Sydney bus manufacturer does not make up for its complete neglect of local manufacturing jobs for the past decade.

The Premier and Transport Minister today toured Custom Denning to announce a contract to assemble 79 new electric buses – less than one per cent of the State’s bus fleet.

However, the announcement pales in comparison to the billions of dollars in jobs and investment that have been sent offshore over the past decade.

A recent Unions NSW and The McKell Institute report Build it Here found the Government forewent 4,192 direct and indirect jobs and more than $484 million in payroll and income tax collections through its decision to offshore NSW Government’s transport contracts.

These include:

The new intercity rail fleet made in South Korea,

The light rail made in France and Spain,

New Sydney Ferries made in China and Indonesia; and,

38 B-Line buses built in Germany and assembled in Malaysia.

Unions NSW Secretary Mark Morey said photo ops were a poor substitute for a decade of of sending jobs offshore.

“The Premier thinks one photo opportunity will make up for a decade of neglecting local manufacturing jobs and industry. It won’t.

“Today Mr Perrottet has announced he intends to build assemble 79 buses here in Sydney, one per cent of the fleet. If he was fair dinkum he would commit to build all of the State’s 8000 buses in NSW as and when the current fleet need replacing.

“That would give workers and businesses confidence to plan and invest.

“When governments spend money in their local economy it has a powerful multiplier effect. Those workers spend in their local communities and pay tax to state and federal governments.

“Local manufacturers better understand local conditions and are more accountable. They are less likely to construct trams that don’t fit on the tracks or ferries that can’t fit under a bridge.

“It’s nice to see Mr Perrottet cotton on to the concerns we have been raising, but so far we are seeing more spin than substance.

McKell Institute executive director Michael Buckland said full accounting for the economic benefits of local production was critical.

“Governments must consider the wider economic benefits of local construction when they sign significant procurement contracts,” Mr Buckland said.

“A fuller perspective of the jobs, economic activity and tax revenue generated through local purchasing would see many more projects built in Australia.

The Build It Here report recommended :

The cost increases observed in overseas procurements should be investigated to determine whether inefficiencies resulting from offshore contract sourcing are consistent, and how they may be mitigated via local production.

The NSW Government should establish an international sourcing comparator based on the public sector comparator to promote transparency in significant procurement decisions. The international sourcing comparator should be published alongside contract award notices.

Government agencies should publish wider economic benefits as part of a holistic cost-benefit analysis when making decisions about major procurement contracts that exceed $1 billion.

Building homes and supporting jobs in the construction, retail and hospitality sectors are at the centre of the latest tranche of regulatory relief helping NSW business get to the other side of the Omicron outbreak.
 
Changes to planning rules will allow for an extension of emergency construction hours, as well as making it easier for businesses to get much needed supplies and extending temporary measures that let pubs and restaurants continue to use carparks and bowling greens.
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said the measures were aimed at supporting some of the sectors hardest hit by the pandemic and designed to keep the economic wheels turning during the Omicron wave of the pandemic.
 
“We know that some retailers have struggled to get supplies and that impacts what people see on the shelves,” Mr Kean said.
 
“We are changing the rules to make it easier for businesses to get those critical supplies – 24 hours a day in business and industrial areas.
 
“We’ve already changed the rules to let diners onto the footpaths and public spaces and now we’re extending measures to let pubs and restaurants use privately owned car parks and open space until 30 June.”
 
These new rule changes helping NSW businesses include:

• The extension of emergency construction hours (up until 31 March 2022) allowing construction sites to operate on weekends without the need for prior planning approval;
• Changes to planning rules allowing 24-hour deliveries in industrial and business zones
• The extension of measures allowing pubs and restaurants use privately owned open space and car parks for hospitality (up until 30 June 2022)

 
Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said it’s vitally important we support the construction industry and the 340,000 jobs it supports.
 
“Construction continues to play a crucial role in our state by contributing around $47 billion each year to the economy, and supporting communities by, keeping people in jobs delivering new homes and community facilities,” he said.
 
“These changes will help us keep shovels in the ground to deliver new homes, jobs and great public spaces and keep the economy moving.”
 
No construction work will be allowed on public holidays and only quiet works can take place on Sundays. The extension of construction hours will be in place until 31 March 2022.
 
For more information visit www.planning.nsw.gov.au

The NSW space industry ecosystem has been further strengthened with the official opening of the National Space Industry Hub in Eveleigh, Sydney.
 
The hub, which was officially launched last night, is part of Sydney’s Tech Central Precinct and offers office space, resources, mentoring and connections for emerging space ventures.
 
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Stuart Ayres said among the first residents of the hub are the Space Industry Association of Australia, the government-backed NSW Space Research Network and the NSW Node of the SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre (CRC).
 
“These organisations bring together industry, universities and researchers to ensure we continue to have the strongest space capability in Australia,” Mr Ayres said.
 
As part of the launch of the hub the NSW Government and Cicada Innovations launched the Fast Start intense coaching program, which aims to help companies commercialise innovative ideas.
 
Participants in the first cohort include Extraterrestrial Power, which aims to support space missions by producing advanced silicon solar cells and Amentum Aerospace, which specialises in predictive scientific modelling software to enhance operational planning for space missions.
 
Both companies will receive a six-month tailored program of mentoring and coaching, access to state-of-the-art rapid prototyping facilities and a dedicated workspace at the hub.
 
Cicada Innovations CEO Sally-Ann Williams said that the hub was ready and waiting to support the participants, through a range of virtual and COVID-safe in-person activity.
 
“NSW is a fantastic place to build a Space venture. We’re surrounded by experience, talent, capital and the community to support space entrepreneurs on their journey,” Ms Williams said.
Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology, and Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said ensuring NSW has a talent pipeline of highly skilled workers was critical to ensuring NSW remains competitive in the space race.
 
“NSW already has an incredible depth of talent in the space industry however we need to continue to grow this pipeline to ensure the industry thrives,” Mr Henskens said.
 
Also launched as part of the hub’s opening was the Foundations Program, a free online learning resource for researchers, engineers and aspiring entrepreneurs looking for foundational knowledge on how to commercialise space technology.
 
The National Space Industry Hub is being delivered as part of the NSW Space Industry Development Strategy, launched in 2020. For more information, visit: https://www.business.nsw.gov.au/industry-sectors/industry-opportunities/space

The NSW Government has granted more than $350,000 to eight organisations undertaking initiatives to boost mental health in the workplace.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the recipients of the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) Recovery Boost grants would use the funding to help people recover at work and reduce the stigma around mental health.

“The Recovery Boost grants will allow these organisations to implement bespoke initiatives that will help prevent mental illness or aid recovery,” Mr Dominello said.

“Workplaces need tailored, practical support that respond to the unique mental health challenges they face.

“Prioritising the mental health and wellbeing of staff is more important than ever and these workplaces will benefit from additional resources that will enable them to provide greater support.”

Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said that the mental health workplace initiatives would benefit essential workers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and those living in regional and rural NSW.

“The successful programs range from tailored assistance for rural sole traders, yarning circles for First Peoples, support for deaf and hard of hearing workers, and targeted intervention for police officers with stress disorders,” Ms Taylor said.

“Each organisation has demonstrated that their mental health initiative can promote seeking assistance early, supporting recovery and reducing stigma.

“The results of each initiative will go towards building the evidence base for what works to support mental health recovery at work.”

SIRA is working across the sector to improve mental health outcomes across the State. These grants mark the third round of the SIRA Recovery Boost program, which provides up to $50,000 to organisations with innovative ideas to help mental health recovery. The list of grant recipients is here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/mental-health-at-work/stories/mental-health-at-work-blogs/recovery-boost-2021-winners