Category: NSW News

The NSW Government is investing $8.9 million in the Clarence Region, with a co-located Emergency Operations Centres (EOC) and Fire Control Centres (FCC) to be built in Grafton and a new Category 1 Fire Tanker going to the Lawrence RFS Brigade.
The $8.5 million Grafton facility was announced earlier this week by the NSW Government, as part of a $71.5 million investment in new EOCs / FCCs across New South Wales.
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience joined Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis and NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Deputy Commissioner Kyle Stewart at Grafton today to announce the new facility.
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the investment would address a recommendation of the NSW Bushfire Inquiry to upgrade and co-locate a number of EOCs and FCCs across the State.
“The NSW Government is committed to ensuring our emergency services have the facilities, equipment and resources they need for their vital work to assist and protect our communities during emergencies and natural disasters,” Ms Cooke said.
“These new facilities will be used by RFS as well as other emergency services agencies to oversee the response to a range of emergencies, including fires, floods and severe storms.
“I’m also very pleased to officially hand over a new fire truck to the Lawrence Brigade, who along with their colleagues in the region, worked tirelessly during the devastating Black Summer bush fires.”
RFS Deputy Commissioner Kyle Stewart said the improved facilities would enable more effective resource management and the new fire tanker would see improved safety for firefighters.
“It’s fantastic that our dedicated members will have a purpose-built facility to better protect the people of the Clarence region,” Deputy Commissioner Stewart said.
“I would like to take the opportunity to thank the members of Lawrence Brigade and indeed, the entire Clarence Valley District for the work they do to protect their communities.”

Electric vehicle (EV) drivers are set to benefit from the most extensive charging network in the country, with the $35 million first round of co-funding to build ultra-fast chargers across NSW opening today.
Treasurer Matt Kean said the first round of construction grants form part of a total charging infrastructure program of $171 million over four years.
“The NSW Government will co-fund up to 50 per cent of the capital costs for businesses to construct fast and ultra-fast charging bays along key travel routes across the state, so drivers can put range anxiety in the rearview mirror,” Mr Kean said.
“This is expected to unlock around $160 million in private investment under our plan to build the biggest electric vehicle charging network in Australia. Construction is expected to start in the second half of 2022, with construction of all charging stations approved in this first round to be completed within two years.”
There are likely to be four rounds over the next three to four years to construct at least 1,000 fast and ultra-fast chargers state-wide. Ultra-fast chargers can take as little as 15 minutes to charge up to 400km.
Applications for co-funding will be assessed over two stages. Stage one will assess eligibility and high-level merit criteria, with a more detailed application for charging sites required in the second stage. It’s expected the first stage applications will be finalised in April, with successful bidders and sites for funding to be announced in mid 2022.
“EVs will play a critical role in halving our emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Investments in renewable generation and charging infrastructure will also help our economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Kean said.
The NSW Government’s half-a-billion-dollar Electric Vehicle Strategy targets a reduction in tailpipe emissions from transport by shifting to electric vehicles. To attend an industry information session or to apply, visit here.

The NSW Government will fund 5,000 fee-free Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) courses to support new workers to enter the hospitality industry and help ease the staffing pressure on licensed hospitality venues.
Treasurer Matt Kean said the free courses will be available from 7 February and will allow more people to get the qualifications they need to enter the workforce during this critical time.
“The hospitality sector makes up over 2 per cent of total gross value added to the NSW economy and supports more than 300,000 jobs, which is why we are committed to supporting this critical industry,” Mr Kean said.
“By providing these free RSA courses we are not just supporting the hospitality sector during the current downturn, but are supporting the future of people who pick up an extra qualification courtesy of NSW Government funding.”
Minister for Hospitality and Racing Kevin Anderson said the funding will help thousands of people to gain the skills to enter an in-demand industry.
“Staff shortages are adversely impacting the hospitality sector which is why we are supporting more people to obtain skills and work to drive our economic recovery,” Mr Anderson said.
Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said refresher RSA courses will also be available free of charge from 7 February until the end of June.
“We are encouraging former hospitality workers to return to the sector by allowing anyone whose RSA competency card has expired within the past two years, or will expire before 30 June, to complete a short online refresher course to renew their certification for free,” Mr Henskens said.
The RSA courses will be available through TAFE NSW and private providers who already offer government subsidised programs.

Camden Council has been fined $750,000 after a member of a local Men’s Shed was killed installing irrigation pipe at the Camden Bicentennial Equestrian Park in 2018.
The Council was investigated by SafeWork NSW and pleaded guilty to a breach of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 in the NSW District Court.
The incident occurred on 3 July 2018, when untrained volunteers from the Men’s Shed tried to move a 500-metre length of PVC irrigation pipe by towing it with a tractor. A male volunteer was struck on the head by the pipe while it was being towed, suffering fatal injuries.
The NSW District Court found the risk of being struck by the pipe was foreseeable and that Camden Council failed to implement safety systems or conduct a risk assessment for the project.
The court also found that the volunteer was not qualified or trained to perform the work and the purported supervisor of the project had no qualifications in irrigation work or use of heavy plant.
SafeWork Executive Director of Investigations and Enforcement, Rick Bultitude said that while volunteers perform essential tasks throughout the community without pay or reward, they are still considered workers under Work Health Safety (WHS) legislation.
“Organisations who have workers have work, health and safety duties and obligations not just to paid staff, but also for any volunteers they engage,” Mr Bultitude said.
“Workers and volunteers also have WHS obligations of their own, including taking reasonable care of the health and safety of themselves and others.
“The person conducting a business is required to ensure an adequate risk assessment is conducted for work undertaken, and ensure appropriate information and instruction is provided to any volunteers.
“And volunteers should never be used to undertake work for which they are either unqualified or untrained to perform,” Mr Bultitude said.
Camden Council has the right to appeal the sentence.

NSW Ambulance response times are the worst they have been in at least a decade while the NSW Government has cut spending to the service, according to the latest Productivity Commission report.
The average wait time for the most urgent cases in the 2020/21 financial year were one full minute longer than the previous year in NSW, up to 12.3 minutes from 11.3 minutes – again exceeding the accepted target of 10 minutes.
It is the sixth slowest ambulance response time for urgent cases in capital cities across the country behind the ACT at 9 minutes, WA at 9.4 minutes, the NT at 9.5 minutes, Victoria at 10 minutes and Queensland at 11.3 minutes.
The report also found spending on NSW Ambulance went backwards at $140.9 per person in the population from $142.05 in the previous financial year.
The NSW Ambulance service remains critically under-resourced per head of population with only the St John’s Ambulance in Western Australia having fewer paramedics per 100,000 people.
“The NSW Government’s decision to spend less on paramedics during the worst pandemic in 100 years is incomprehensible,” said Health Services Union NSW Secretary Gerard Hayes.
“Unprecedented pressure and fewer resources is a recipe for disaster. Wait times for urgent cases have blown out across the board and it’s the people of NSW and paramedics that are suffering.
“Ambulance response times can be the difference between life or death for a patient needing urgent medical treatment.
“Paramedics are at breaking point because there are simply not enough of them.
“The NSW Government needs to stop cutting funding to the service, employ more paramedics and also retain the ones we already have.
“That will only happen if their wages reflect the skills and productivity our paramedics contribute to the health and hospital system.”

The NSW Government has announced applications are open for the $60 million Aviation Attraction Fund program, to build aviation capacity across NSW by supporting airlines to return to the state’s airports.
The Aviation Attraction Fund forms part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan. It has been designed to secure international and domestic routes at airports across the state from Sydney to Shellharbour, Moruya to Moree and Broken Hill to Ballina.
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Minister for Tourism and Sport and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the fund would be key to the state’s economic recovery.
“Our Aviation Attraction Fund will commit $60 million in NSW Government funding over two consecutive years to accelerate the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Road to Recovery,” Mr Ayres said.
“It will turbocharge our visitor economy by securing routes to the state’s network of international and domestic airports, delivering significant economic and social benefits through visitor expenditure and job creation at a time when we need it most.
“This program will also facilitate a strong consumer and business-led recovery, providing a significant boost to consumer and business confidence.
“Our airports are the gateway to our state, so supporting the return of airlines to them through the Aviation Attraction Fund is key to achieving our goal of making NSW the premier visitor economy of the Asia Pacific.”
Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert said: “Twenty one airlines stopped flying regular international services to Sydney during the pandemic and we are in a global race to get them back. We also want to support the carriers who stuck with us to keep on re-building – the NSW Government recognises this and should be applauded for their vision.
“Prior to COVID, Sydney Airport generated more than $42 billion in annual economic activity. That creates a big hole in the visitor economy when you consider that we have only recovered 15% of our pre-pandemic international passenger numbers.
“Sydney Airport is proud to co-invest in the Aviation Attraction Fund and we look forward to working with Destination NSW to implement this initiative.”
The Aviation Attraction Fund is open to all domestic and international airlines servicing or planning to service NSW airports and will support activity including:

• Route subsidies and incentives to deliver extra services and passengers, such as passenger service charge discounts
• Strategic marketing support
• Establishment or re-establishment cost subsidies for airlines to operate in NSW, such as office accommodation and relocation payments

Applications for the Aviation Attraction Fund are open until 30 June 2023 and will be managed by Destination NSW on behalf of the NSW Government.
For more information or to submit an application visit https://www.destinationnsw.com.au/aviation-attraction

The NSW performing arts and live music sector will be further supported with $85 million in NSW Government funding to provide artists and performers with increased confidence to take their place on centre stage and help kick-start the state’s economy.
Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin said the $85 million package included an extension for the Performing Arts Relaunch package and a grant to music charitable organisation, Support Act, to assist individual performing artists.
“As we continue to work through this current phase of the pandemic, the $80 million extension of the Performing Arts Relaunch package will support our wonderful performing arts and live music sector to continue to confidently return to the stage and deliver the vibrant, diverse and inspiring works we have missed so much,” Mr Franklin said.
“The additional $5 million grant that we are providing to Support Act as part of this package will help to bridge the gap for assistance for those not eligible under other Government funds and ensure our state’s artists are not left behind as a result of disruptions caused by the pandemic.”
“The arts are crucial to helping communities across NSW heal, unite, and inspire as well as being essential to our state’s economic recovery.”
CEO of Support Act Clive Miller said the funding will offer critical relief to support the health and welfare of people working in the music industry.
“The funds announced today will ensure that those hardest hit will be able to access crisis relief through Support Act to help pay the rent, put food on the table, pay urgent medical bills and stay connected with family and community,” Mr Miller said.
Chief Executive of Live Performance Australia Evelyn Richardson said the package will benefit the economy and increase the confidence of the sector.
“The arts and entertainment industry are a critical part of rebooting the economy which has once again been acknowledged by the NSW Government. This package will enable companies to keep shows on stage and people in work and provide much needed business confidence to continue investing,” Ms Richardson said.
The $85 million package is on top of $125 million in funding announced in 2021 to support the performing arts and live music sector. Applications for the Performing Arts Relaunch package are open to eligible NSW venues, promoters and producers to relaunch performing arts activities. For more information, including guidelines and to apply for funding, please visit the Create NSW website at www.create.nsw.gov.au.

Teachers will welcome students back into classrooms across the state today with vaccinations, rapid antigen testing and mask wearing to play a key role in limiting the spread of the virus and keeping school communities safe.
Premier Dominic Perottet said this was an exciting day for students, and parents and carers can be assured that a wealth of COVID safe measures are in place to ensure minimal disruption to the 2022 school year.
“The best place for students to learn is at school and getting our young people back to face to face learning is an important part of the plan to live with the virus,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We have worked hard to ensure that every school is a safe environment for students, teachers and school staff. We have distributed 8.6 million rapid antigen test (RAT) kits to all schools to ensure that students and staff are able to test for the virus twice a week for the first two weeks of term.
“RAT kits have also been distributed to all early childhood education centres so that educators are able to undertake surveillance testing for COVID-19 twice a week.
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said she was thrilled to see students walk through school gates and welcomed back to the classroom by their teachers.
“Teachers and students put in an enormous effort last year while they were learning from home, however we know that being at school has so many social and developmental benefits for children, beyond what they learn in the classroom,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The Department of Education had worked closely with NSW Health to deliver supplies to all schools ahead of students’ return today to make schools as safe as possible.
“Vaccinations remain one of our strongest defences against COVID-19 in our schools and with all staff having received at least two doses of the vaccination, it’s encouraging to see that our students are also increasingly getting vaccinated.”
More than 80 per cent of children in the 12- to 15-year-old age group have had their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and more than 78 per cent are double-dosed. In the 5- to 11-year-old age group, more than 39 per cent of children have had their first dose.
Other COVID safe measures including physical distancing, ventilation, mask wearing and cohorting will continue to work to limit the spread of the virus, while school year groups will be separated as much as possible with staggered start, break and finishing times and designated playground areas, tuckshop lines, toilets and classrooms.
“With all these measures in place, we’re confident that students will be able to return to the activities they love while staying COVID safe,” Ms Mitchell said.
More information on COVID safe measures in schools is available at https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families

From Monday, 7 February non-urgent elective surgery requiring an overnight stay will return to 75 per cent capacity in private hospitals, and up to 75 per cent of pre pandemic activity levels at public hospitals in regional and rural NSW where they are able to do so.
The temporary suspension of non-urgent elective surgery requiring an overnight stay in both public and private hospitals from 10 January was necessary to ensure there was sufficient staffing and hospital bed capacity in NSW to meet the extra demands caused by the Omicron wave of COVID-19.
All emergency surgery and urgent elective surgery in NSW continues to be performed during this challenging period. The majority of non-urgent elective day surgery has also been continuing in public and private hospitals.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said with COVID-19 hospitalisations stabilising, non-urgent elective surgery requiring an overnight stay can now begin to resume in a safe and staged manner from Monday, 7 February.
“I am pleased to announce that from next week non-urgent elective surgery will resume at private hospitals and in some of our public hospitals that are in a position to do so in regional and rural NSW,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The reintroduction of non-urgent elective surgery will be done in a phased manner to balance the ongoing potential need for extra capacity in our hospitals and the need for people in NSW to access their elective surgeries as quickly as possible.
“We recognise the effect these necessary restrictions have had on the lives of people  requiring non-urgent elective surgery and I want to assure them we will be doing everything possible to return to full capacity in all of our hospitals as soon as possible.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said private hospitals will retain some capacity to assist public hospitals by taking patients if necessary and will also continue to take public patients for non-urgent elective surgery to ensure equity of access.
“I want to thank the private hospitals in NSW who have supported our public hospitals and the NSW community during this challenging period and will continue to do so after non-elective surgery resumes next week,” Mr Hazzard said.
“NSW has a strong healthcare system, both public and private, and an exceptional workforce who have continued to provide world class care for their patients throughout this pandemic.
“Our hospitals remain under pressure due to COVID-19 so only our public hospitals that are in a position to resume non-urgent elective surgeries without compromising their ability to care for COVID-19 patients and patients with other medical conditions will do so.”
Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said people in regional NSW will be pleased to see a resumption in non-urgent elective surgery as we return to a normal operating environment.
“It’s been a challenging time, but our doctors and nurses and support staff have worked tirelessly in our regional hospitals to support people in need of urgent care,” Mrs Taylor said.
“More of our workforce is returning and this will mean our public hospitals will be in a position to restore non-urgent services, and I thank the people of regional NSW for their patience.”
Acting Deputy Secretary of NSW Health Wayne Jones said it is expected that a number of regional and rural public hospitals will have the capacity to resume overnight non-urgent elective surgeries from Monday 7 February, while metropolitan public hospitals will remain focused on the demands associated with caring for COVID-19 patients, with the situation under constant review.
“Where necessary local health districts may also re-impose temporary restrictions at a hospital in the event of a local outbreak to ensure the community are kept safe and can access hospital care if required,” Mr Jones said.
Mr Jones said patients due to receive non-urgent elective surgery who have been impacted by the restrictions are encouraged to seek medical attention should they experience a change in their condition so they can be clinically reviewed and re-prioritised to a more urgent category if required.
In 2020-21 the NSW Government provided an extra $458.5 million to fast-track elective surgeries which were delayed as a result of the Federal Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic last year, and a further $80 million has been provided as part of the 2021-22 NSW Budget.
The NSW Government has committed more than $4 billion to the NSW health system to manage the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic since March 2020.

Liberal candidate for Bega, Dr Fiona Kotvojs, welcomed the NSW Government’s billion dollar COVID business support package that will help local small businesses that were hardest hit by the Omicron wave.
The NSW Government package includes financial support for small business to buy rapid antigen tests to help keep their workers safe, and a new Small Business Support Program to assist businesses to help keep their workers employed.
Dr Kotvojs said the targeted package will help local businesses who have been doing it particularly hard after floods, bushfires, and a lack of tourists caused by the pandemic.
“As someone who runs three small businesses, I know how important this help will be for local businesses to get through the effects of the Omicron wave.”
“Support with the costs of rapid antigen tests for their workers and the extension of the Commercial Landlord Hardship Grant, as well as the Small Business Support Program providing payroll assistance to businesses will be of great help,” Dr Kotvojs said. “This package of measures is a good example of the strong, practical measures that the Government is providing to businesses to help them get through COVID and bounce back.”
Premier Dominic Perrottet said while case numbers are now declining, the NSW Government is determined to support those businesses that have been most affected during this wave of the pandemic.
“NSW is tracking better than expected and confidence is returning. And as we did with earlier recoveries, we will come through this recent challenge stronger than ever,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We’ve got the backs of businesses, as we have throughout this entire pandemic.”
The Small Business Support Program helps those businesses with annual turnover of between $75,000 and $50 million with a decline in turnover of at least 40 per cent.
It provides eligible businesses a lump sum payment of 20 per cent of weekly payroll with a minimum payment of $500 per week and a maximum payment of $5,000 per week.
In addition, the existing Small Business Fees, Charges and RAT Rebate will be increased by 50% from the current $2,000 limit to $3,000 and employing businesses will be able to use the rebate to obtain RATs.
This will support worker availability by helping reduce costs to small businesses and enabling healthy staff who have been exposed to COVID-19, but test negative, to return to work.