Young people in custody learning vital farming skills

Young people in custody are being given the opportunity to learn skills to help them transition back to the community and into jobs on the land, thanks to a partnership between Youth Justice NSW and the Department of Education.

Focusing on skills for the bush, training programs in sheep shearing and fence construction are being run in Youth Justice Centres and are proving popular with young people there.

A shearing program was rolled out at Riverina Youth Justice Centre in Wagga Wagga this week, providing hands-on training for young people who might be interested in the profession post release.

Funded by the NSW Department of Education and delivered by the TAFE NSW Primary Industries Centre, the program includes a range of skills including preparing a handpiece for shearing, penning sheep, undertaking basic shearing and crutching, and carrying out wool pressing.

Meanwhile, fencing accredited training was run at Cobham Youth Justice Centre by Emergency Australia over 3 days this week, teaching young people how to install, maintain and repair farm fencing.

Young people have access to a range of skills and accreditation opportunities in Youth Justice Centres, with trades ranging from bricklaying, mechanics and panelling to hairdressing and barista training.

Minister for Youth Justice Jihad Dib said:

“Everyone deserves another chance and one of the many ways we support young people while they are in a Youth Justice Centre is to give them real life skills that are useful in their future, not only in jobs but in everyday life.

“We are providing training in areas where there is high demand in regional New South Wales such as shearing and fence construction, making sure our young people have the best chance of finding a job.

“Whether it’s hospitality, barista, barber training and mechanics or horticulture and traffic control, the trade qualifications being rolled out across the 6 Youth Justice Centres in NSW are varied and provide a range of opportunities for young people to learn important skills.”

Minister for Skills and Training Steve Whan said:

“Regardless of what their history is, every young person deserves to be set up for success and given equitable opportunities to pursue a career.

“This is a fantastic program and another example of how the Department of Education and TAFE NSW provides students with the in-demand skills to get a job and make an immediate impact in the workplace.

“Empowering these young people with the skills and confidence to find meaningful work will help them make a positive contribution to the community and the agriculture industry.”

NSW powers ahead with biggest energy storage tender

NSW has opened the largest energy storage tender in NSW history, seeking new long-duration storage projects to boost electricity reliability and keep the lights on in NSW.

These projects will help ensure a steady and reliable supply of energy around the clock. They will play a significant role in the NSW Government’s transition to renewable energy, which will deliver reliable and affordable power to households and businesses at the same time as driving down emissions to meet our net zero targets.

Long-duration storage projects can bid for financial support under the new NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap Tender 5 which is now open. This tender offers support for up to 1 gigawatt of projects, which can each release energy into the NSW grid for at least 8 hours.

The energy stored within 1 gigawatt of 8-hour long-duration storage is equivalent to the daily energy consumption of around 505,000 households.

This tender will take NSW closer to its target of 2 gigawatts of new long-duration storage by 2030.

Long-duration storage serves an important role as it allows renewable energy such as solar and wind to be stored and then released on demand when needed. Projects could include pumped hydro, batteries, compressed air storage and other technologies.

This is the fifth tender under the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, and the third for long-duration storage. It is open to projects connecting to new planned infrastructure in Renewable Energy Zones with Access Schemes, or existing infrastructure state-wide.

Renewable Energy Zones are the power plants of the future. They group generation and storage projects in areas where there is plenty of renewable resources, and connect them to transition lines to pump the electricity around NSW.

The NSW Government is also announcing that a second Renewable Energy Zone is open for business. The new NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap Tender 5 is accepting applications for the right to connect projects in the South West Renewable Energy Zone, around Hay.

Companies can apply for access rights, which allow them to progress their connection to the electricity grid.

Projects will compete for an initial 3.98 gigawatts of Access Rights, which unlocks the ability to generate enough electricity to power more than 1.9 million households.

They will be assessed on their contribution towards and engagement with communities, and those awarded rights will pay fees to fund community benefit and employment programs in the region.

The South West Renewable Energy Zone is expected to receive up to $2.8 billion in private investment by 2030. At its peak, it is expected to support more than 2,000 construction jobs in the region.

AEMO Services is conducting the long-duration storage and South West Access Rights tenders, as the state’s independent Consumer Trustee.

Projects can register on the AEMO Services website.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe said:

“Opening this tender for long duration storage projects and access to a second Renewable Energy Zone are milestones in the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.

“They will deliver projects that ensure NSW has enough renewable energy generation and storage when coal-fired power stations retire. They also give certainty to investors and communities.

“Long-duration storage is a key part of our future energy system, ensuring we have power when we need it.

“The opening of the second access rights process will ensure the right combination of projects can connect to the grid in a way that delivers for NSW electricity consumers and host communities.

“It shows the NSW Government is delivering the transition to a renewable energy system that will allow households and businesses to access affordable, reliable and clean energy to bring down bills and greenhouse gas emissions.”

Development assessment timeframes for social and affordable housing to be halved under Labor

The NSW Government has changed the way affordable and social housing development assessments are processed delivering faster approvals and more homes for those who need it most.

Under a new state-led rezoning pathway, the Government will accelerate rezoning proposals from the State’s housing agencies including Homes NSW (NSW Land and Housing Corporation and Aboriginal Housing Office) and Landcom.

A newly dedicated team within the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) will manage the applications from concept review to lodgement, exhibition and final assessment.

As wait-times for social and affordable housing grow, greater responsibility is placed on councils and planners to move projects through the planning system. In the meantime, people are doing it tough. Under this new pathway these timeframes are set to halved.

Establishing an accelerated pathway for rezoning for the Government’s housing delivery agencies allows councils to focus on the assessment of local development applications.

These are the latest changes the Government is making to streamline the planning system, all aimed at expediting the delivery of more homes to the people of NSW.

This Government has already taken significant steps to improve and expand social and affordable housing services by introducing:

  • A new bonus Floor Space Ratio (FSR) on new developments of up to 30 per cent and a height bonus of up to 30 per cent where a proposal includes a minimum of 15 per cent of the gross floor area (GFA) as affordable housing.
  • Changes to self-assessment powers for certain social, affordable and public housing providers to ensure more homes can be built faster.
  • A requirement for affordable housing to be delivered at all TOD locations.

For more information on the pathway visit here.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“This newly created team will prioritise social and affordable housing by streamlining the application process to help deliver critical housing for people in need for years to come.

“The former Government left us with a planning system that made the delivery of social and affordable housing, prolonged and complicated, these changes are just the latest step in rectifying this.

“All applications using this pathway will still need to meet eligibility criteria including their alignment to the State and Commonwealth housing commitments.”

Minister for Housing Rose Jackson said:

“We have been clear – all options are on the table to address the housing crisis. A key area for reform is our planning rules. This government is dedicated to exploring new ways to increase housing supply and enhance existing systems.

“One of those improvements is the new social and affordable housing planning pathway which will help our agencies get the job done faster.

“This is another important step in rebuilding the housing system in NSW. We need to expedite the delivery of more social and affordable homes and not have applications held up in unwieldly and complicated planning rules that don’t deliver homes for people in need.”

Have your say on NSW heritage: Nominate a Blue Plaque

Nominations are now open for a fresh round of Blue Plaques to celebrate the people, groups and events which have contributed to the rich heritage of NSW.

The Minns Labor Government is inviting everyone from individuals and families to schools and community organisations to submit a nomination.

Whether it’s an unsung hero, group or landmark event, now is the time to put them forward for recognition in this popular Heritage NSW program. More than a dozen recipients will be chosen from these submissions.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to protecting, preserving and modernising NSW heritage, and ensuring it reflects our diverse community.

This round of blue plaques will celebrate the diversity of our community, with nominations falling into themes including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, environment and sustainability, sport, social justice and advocacy, war-time stories, the elderly, disability, LGBTQIA+ and more.

Nominating for a blue plaque is easy and can be done online. To be eligible, they must:

  • relate to a person, people or event that has made a lasting impact on a community in NSW or NSW as a whole
  • be appropriate, sensitive and engaging to a wide audience
  • relate to a person or people who passed away more than 20 years ago, or an event which occurred more than 20 years ago
  • have a location in NSW for the blue plaque that is publicly accessible and has a direct connection to the person, people, or event.

Heritage NSW and independent historians will evaluate nominations based on the eligibility criteria.

For the first time, the NSW Government is announcing a People’s Choice Blue Plaque. Heritage NSW has shortlisted favourite nominations from past rounds and launched a public vote to decide the inaugural People’s Choice Blue Plaque.

The nominations people can vote for are:

  • Abdul Wade (Abdul Wahid Khan) – an Afghan immigrant who pioneered camel transportation in Australia’s outback.
  • Coralia Stavropoulos (Sister Kaliniki) – Australia’s first ordained Greek Orthodox nun who dedicated her life to supporting Greek immigrants in Australia.
  • Malcolm Cole – Dancer, teacher, and LGBTQIA+ activist who championed social change and Indigenous rights.
  • Marie Beuzville Byles – The first practising female solicitor in NSW who paved the way for women in law.
  • Mother John Baptist De Lacy – A pioneering Irish nun who laid the foundation for healthcare and health education in colonial Sydney.
  • The Resch brothers – German migrants who brewed their way from outback NSW to creating beverage empires.
  • Ruby Payne-Scott – A trailblazer in radio astronomy and advocate for women in science.
  • The creation of Weet-Bix – The Australian breakfast staple.

To date, close to 50 blue plaques have been announced in cities and towns right across NSW, to honour noteworthy individuals and moments that have contributed to our rich cultural heritage.

They include activists, authors, artists, architects, pioneers, philanthropists, groups including Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club and events such as the Soldiers’ Riots.

Nominate or cast a vote.

Nominations close Sunday 30 June, 2024.

Minister for Heritage Penny Sharpe:

“Everyone is invited to get involved in preserving and celebrating the diverse history of NSW, ensuring the stories of those who have shaped our state are honoured and remembered.

“I want everyone to share interesting, quirky or lesser-known stories of the people, groups and events which have made NSW what it is today.

“The Minns Labor Government values the diversity of our community and history, and we look forward to it being recognised in this round of Blue Plaques.

“The People’s Choice category is an exciting way for everyone to get involved, even if they don’t have a specific nomination in mind.”

Hundreds more homes for NSW residents

More than 700 people will have a safe and affordable home to live in with the restoration of 290 previously uninhabitable, vacant homes by the New South Wales Government, delivered with $25 million of Albanese Labor Government funding from the Social Housing Accelerator.

To date, the New South Wales Government has restored 277 homes, including 165 cottages, 30 townhouses, 7 villas and 75 units, with this Commonwealth funding. The 13 remaining homes will be restored by the end of June.

The $2 billion Social Housing Accelerator is one part of the Albanese Labor Government’s $32 billion Homes for Australia plan. 

The Albanese Labor Government is working with states and territories like New South Wales to help meet our ambitious national target of building 1.2 million homes by the end of the decade. 

Funding from the Social Housing Accelerator has been vital to the Albanese Labor Government and the Minns Labor Government’s shared goal to make more safe and secure homes available to New South Wales residents.

The Social Housing Accelerator has already provided $610 million to New South Wales to deliver around 1,500 homes. 

With over 58,000 people on the social housing waitlist in New South Wales, the New South Wales Government expedited refurbishment works last year to help alleviate housing pressure, particularly in areas with high rates of homelessness like Sydney’s Inner West. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: 

“I grew up in a social housing flat in Sydney. I understand the life changing power that a secure roof over your head can provide.

“That is why my Government is committed to delivering more homes, more quickly, in more parts of Australia.

“We have a lot of work to do to achieve our goal but we are committed to getting it done and today is another step forward.

“Our $2 billion Social Housing Accelerator will deliver around 4,000 new social homes across Australia.”

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Julie Collins: 

“Our Government’s $2 billion Social Housing Accelerator has already helped to give more New South Wales residents a safe and affordable place to call home. 

“The New South Wales Government’s quick delivery of this funding is exactly why we committed to the Social Housing Accelerator.  
   
“Through our Homes for Australia plan, the Albanese Labor Government has committed $32 billion in new housing initiatives to deliver more homes across the country.  
   
“Our ambitious housing reform agenda is working across the board – with more help for homebuyers, more help for renters and more help for Australians needing a safe place for the night.”   

NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson: 

“When this Government committed to stopping the sale of public housing, we meant it. That meant finding new ways to fund social housing repairs and maintenance.

“The social housing waitlist is growing, not shrinking, so it never made sense for the Government to decrease its stock to fund repairs. The only way to get people of the social housing waitlist is by getting them into safe and secure homes.

“The former Government’s model of selling off public housing to fund repairs was not sustainable and we’re proud to be working with the Federal Government to get more homes fixed up and liveable for people in need, without reducing the limited stock to do so.”

Member for Reid Sally Sitou: 

“Our Government’s Social Housing Accelerator is helping to deliver a safe and affordable home to members of our local community.

“This is the best way we can address the housing challenges we face, which is a big priority for me as the local Federal Member.”

Driver dies in single vehicle crash – Kotara

A man has died following a crash in the state’s Hunter region overnight.

About 10.45pm yesterday (Friday 31 May 2024), emergency services were called to Carnley Avenue, Kotara, following reports of a single-vehicle crash.

Officers from Newcastle City Police District arrived to find the driver and only occupant of a black Kia Rio hatchback had left the roadway and collided with a tree.

Despite the efforts of Ambulance Paramedics and first responders, the man died at the scene.

The man, believed to be aged in his 60s, is yet to be formally identified.

A crime scene was established and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this crash has commenced.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

As inquiries continue, anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage in relation to this incident is urged to contact Newcastle City Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

$207.6 million hydrogen hub given green light in Hunter 

In a major step for the state’s renewables sector, the NSW Government has given planning approval to a $207.6 million hydrogen hub in the Hunter.

The State Significant Development at Kooragang Island led by Origin Future Fuels is expected tobegin construction in mid-2025.  The hub will initially deliver approximately 55 megawatts of electrolyser capacity by 2026, with an aim to scale up to over 1 gigawatt of capacity over the next decade.

Green hydrogen is created through electrolysis (splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen) which can be used as a feedstock in industrial processes and as a fuel source in the transport sector. 

The development will support the hydrogen industry in NSW by establishing a commercial-scale green hydrogen supply chain and a hydrogen refuelling network for the Hunter Region and NSW. 

It will be used by industry, with the majority going to Orica’s nearby ammonium nitrate manufacturing facility to help decarbonise its operations with green hydrogen and made available to transport customers through onsite and satellite refuelling stations.

The development will save the equivalent of more than 52,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year from Orica’s facility.

The project will create 160 construction jobs with 10 ongoing roles.

It has been funded by $45 million from the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and $70 million from the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

For more information visit here.  

Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Penny Sharpe:

“This facility will be a regional cornerstone of the hydrogen industry, accelerating NSW’s shift towards clean technologies and net zero.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully:

“The Minns Government is committed to seeing viable renewable projects move through the planning system efficiently to make sure we are working towards our goal of Net Zero by 2050.

“Without a supportive or efficient planning system in NSW we are not going to have the investment we need to decarbonise our industries and support job growth in our regions.”

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley:

“NSW has the potential to be a leading producer of green hydrogen and so does the Hunter as the country’s largest regional economy.

“The Hub offers us an opportunity to bring back work lost when the former government shipped manufacturing jobs offshore.

“The approval of the Hub follows this week’s announcement of the Future Jobs and Investment Authority.

“It is a clear sign that the NSW Government is investing in the future of the Hunter, shoring up our energy grid and unleashing the Hunter’s potential to once again be a manufacturing powerhouse.

“Workers expect the NSW Government to be making investments to unlock new industry in the Hunter and ensure our region has stable, good paying jobs well into the future.    

“Today’s announcement demonstrates the NSW Government is ambitious about our community’s future.”

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon:

“Green hydrogen will play a critical role in Australia’s transformation to net zero. I am pleased to see this important project progressing, following the $70 million investment from the Commonwealth Government.

“The Albanese Labor Government is committed to supporting carbon intensive regions like ours to take advantage of the economic and job opportunities that come with more affordable and reliable renewable energy.”

China lifts suspensions on five meat establishments

The Australian Government has confirmed that China’s suspension of five meat processing establishments has been lifted with immediate effect.

Eight beef processing facilities have now had suspensions lifted, while two facilities remain suspended.

We continue to press China to remove the remaining trade impediments, including for Australia’s rock lobster industry.

The progress so far affirms the calm and consistent approach taken by the Albanese Labor Government.

Trade impediments imposed by China prior to the May 2022 election resulted in a $20.6 billion reduction in exports.

China’s progressive removal of impediments since then, including today’s announcement, means less than $1 billion worth of exports remain impeded.

The lifting of impediments has already had a real-world impact – to the tune of more than $11.5 billion – for Australian barley, cotton, oaten hay, wine, coal, copper ores and timber logs.

The Australian Government’s approach is to cooperate with China where we can, disagree where we must and engage in our national interest.

Trade diversification is a key element of the Government’s trade policy strategy. The Government will continue to support Australian businesses to sell their world-class products on the global stage.

Verdicts in the Hong Kong NSL47 cases

We are deeply concerned by the verdicts handed down today for some members of the NSL47, including a guilty verdict for Australian citizen Mr Gordon Ng.

The Australian Government raises consular and human rights concerns directly with the Hong Kong and Chinese governments regularly and at the highest levels. We will continue to do so, including in the case of Mr Ng.

We also continue to request consular access to Mr Ng from Hong Kong authorities. Noting Mr Ng has avenues of appeal available to him, I will not comment further on his case.

Australia has expressed our strong objections to the Hong Kong authorities on the continuing broad application of national security legislation to arrest and pressure pro-democracy figures, opposition groups, media, trade unions and civil society. We know that the application of these laws also has implications for individuals outside of Hong Kong, including in Australia.

The systemic erosion of Hong Kong’s rights, freedoms, autonomy and democratic processes has been consistently raised with China and Hong Kong. We have called on Hong Kong authorities to uphold those elements which have been so crucial to Hong Kong’s success, including its high degree of autonomy and the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Basic Law and Sino-British Joint Declaration.

During China’s Universal Periodic Review in January, we recommended China to cease suppression of freedoms of expression, assembly, media and civil society, consistent with Human Rights Committee and Special Procedure recommendations, including the repeal of the National Security Law in Hong Kong.

PM LEAVES CLIMATE TRIGGER ON TABLE

Today in Question Time the Prime Minister rejected media reports that he had given an ironclad guarantee to big corporations to not allow a climate trigger to stop more coal and gas in environment laws.

The Greens are in balance of power on the new laws, and the Greens will push for a climate trigger and the protection for native forests to be included in the laws as a condition of our support.

Australian Greens Environment spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young:
“We welcome the PM’s rejection of reports that he gave big corporations a guarantee a climate trigger won’t be in new environment laws,” Senator Hanson-Young said.

“This shows that a climate trigger is still on the table in this parliament. The nation’s big polluters are on notice – the era of dirty coal and gas is almost over.

“The Greens will push for a climate trigger in new environment laws to stop more coal and gas mines, as well as an end to native forest logging.

“Any new environment laws that allow more fossil fuels and the destruction of our forests are not worth the paper they’re printed on. The Greens won’t be rubber-stamping any new laws that simply pander to the fossil fuel lobby, fail to protect nature, and do little to cut pollution.