Category: NSW News

Almost 300,000 Rapid Antigen Tests will be distributed to thousands of people with disability and their support workers to help prevent their exposure to COVID-19.
 
Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Services Natasha Maclaren-Jones said the testing kits were a vital part of protecting people living and working in disability funded residential settings.
 
“Protecting people with disability is important because they can often be at greater risk of developing more serious illness if they become infected with COVID-19,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
 
“This distribution of testing kits underpins the NSW Government’s priority of protecting the most vulnerable members of the community while the pandemic continues to pose a risk.”
 
This initiative supplements the rollout of Rapid Antigen Tests to NDIS participants announced on 4 February 2022 by the Commonwealth Government, which holds the primary responsibility for supporting the disability sector.  
 
The testing kits will be distributed to almost 9,000 people with disability and their support workers by staff in NSW Health Local Health Districts working with disability service providers.
 
“Local Health Districts staff engage with disability service providers on a regular basis and are well placed to distribute these tests for people with disability and their support workers,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones added.
 
“This roll out will help ensure that people with disability can be supported safely at home, and reduce the risk of infections spreading as well as the potential for hospital admission.”
 
The Department of Communities and Justice is working closely with NSW Health to identify and support priority groups, reflecting the joint effort to support vulnerable and at risk sections of the community across the health and human services sectors.
 
People with disability can also purchase testing kits using their NDIS plan funding or access their free allocation from community pharmacies available for those who hold Commonwealth Health Care or Concession Cards.

Businesses impacted by school COVID safety measures in late 2021 now have access to a grant program to help them get back on track for 2022.
 
The $14 million grant program will be available to businesses whose services schools were restricted from accessing in Term 4 of 2021. The restrictions primarily impacted overnight camp providers and music education instructors and services.
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said the grants will support sectors that rely almost entirely on schools for income and provide a crucial educational experience for students.
 
“The grants will provide eligible businesses and not for profit organisations one-off payments equal to 40 per cent of their decline in Term 4 2021 turnover compared to previous years, up to $15,000,” Mr Kean said.
 
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the grants would help organisations restart and refocus on delivering quality programs for NSW school students.
 
“I know just how hard the pandemic has hit small business, and for those offering camps and some music programs, their recovery is just beginning as schools return under new COVID-smart settings,” Ms Mitchell said.
 
Guidelines for the grants will be available in February, with businesses expected to apply for grants in April through their Service NSW for Business profile.
 
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the application process would mirror existing business grant programs to deliver a consistent customer experience and help ensure eligible businesses received support quickly.
 
“We want to make the process as simple and seamless as possible,” Mr Dominello said.
 
“Almost 500,000 businesses have Service NSW for Business profiles and we can reuse existing proof of identity and business information to help make the application process quick and easy for business customers.”
 
School camps and all music programs can start again from Term 1, 2022.

Bega and Eurobodalla small businesses and not-for-profits can now apply for grants of up to $50,000 to help them recover from severe storm and flood events.

The Storm and Flood Disaster Recovery Small Business Grant is designed to help cover the costs of clean-up and reinstatement of a small business or not-for-profit organisation’s operations who suffered direct physical damage as a result of the widespread storms and floods throughout November and December 2021.

Liberal candidate for Bega, Dr Fiona Kotvojs, encouraged the affected local businesses and organisations to apply for this help with the clean-up and recovery effort.

“Businesses across this region have been through a series disasters, and these grants will go some way to helping them get back on their feet,” said Dr Kotvojs. “As Premier Perrottet said, businesses know that we’ve got their back.”

The Grants can go towards the cost of safety inspections, building repairs, cleaning equipment, materials needed to resume trade, disposing of debris and spoiled stock, replacing work vehicles or leasing temporary office space.

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke urged small businesses and not-for-profit organisations to utilise the available support.

“These new grants complement the existing financial assistance already available to home owners, primary producers and local councils,” Ms Cooke said.

“Storm season will continue until March, so I am encouraging all communities to be vigilant to the ongoing threats in the short-term, and continue working with us in the long-term to build a more resilient NSW.”

For more information and to apply, call Service NSW on 13 77 88, or go to:
www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply–storms–and–flood–disaster–recovery–smallbusiness–grant

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.