Category: NSW News

The NSW Police Force now operates the newest fleet of police helicopters in the Southern Hemisphere following the Government’s investment in three new Bell 429 helicopters.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott joined NSW Police Commissioner Michael Fuller APM and the Member for East Hills Wendy Lindsay today to unveil the three new light helicopters at a commissioning ceremony at the Police Aviation Command in Bankstown.
The three additional light helicopters bring the current Aviation Command fleet to eight aircraft, with two Bell 412 helicopters and three Cessna Caravan fixed-wing aircraft, and were funded by the NSW Government $50 million Future Light Helicopter Program.
PolAir helicopters have undertaken 645 search-and-rescue operations locating 157 missing people, and rescuing a further 30 members of the community so far this year.
Mr Perrottet said the new light helicopter fleet represents a record investment in the State’s aviation law-enforcement capabilities.
“The NSW Government is committed to ensuring the NSW Police Force has the world-leading resources and equipment to keep our communities safe across the entire state,” he said.
“We know that these aviation resources are a vital component to our policing responses, and I am confident that PolAir 1, 3 and 4 will play a critical role in our future operations.”
Mr Elliott said the NSW Police Force Aviation Command is one of the most experienced and capable law-enforcement aviation agencies in the world.
“We’ve all seen the important work of the Police Aviation Command in recent weeks after a PolAir crew found three-year-old ‘AJ’ who’d been missing from his family farm in Putty for 72 hours,” Mr Elliott said.
“Only five days earlier, we saw a PolAir crew rescue a 15-year-old girl after she was thrown into the water of the Nepean River and washed into an inaccessible part where debris from recent floods had formed an island of logs trapped in a bottleneck of fast-flowing water.
“Land crews had been unable to reach her and the teen had been in the cold waters of the Nepean River for up to two hours when the helicopter crew sighted her, clinging to a semi-submerged log.
“The Polair crew member was winched down to the river and swam to the girl, securing her into the harness before they were both winched back to the safety of the helicopter.”
Commissioner Fuller said each helicopter had been purpose-built to policing specifications.
“The Bell 429 helicopters have been specifically designed and fitted with the best technology available to carry out search and rescue operations, conduct aerial patrols and surveillance operations,” Commissioner Fuller said.
“Each one has been customised with the most sophisticated equipment, including a FLIR camera system, advanced mapping systems, tactical radio and rescue hoist winch.
Other important features of the Bell 429 helicopters include a high-powered controllable search light ‘Trakka beam’, video downlinking for real time situational awareness and a public address system.

The NSW Government is establishing a new nation-leading identity support unit to minimise the risks associated with identity theft and make it easier for customers to access help in the event their personal information or government proof of identity credentials are stolen or fraudulently obtained.
Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello said IDSupport NSW will support customers and NSW Government agencies to prevent identity misuse and in the event of a data breach provide a single point of call support service for citizens.
“This is an escalating problem around the world and NSW will lead the way when it comes to the solution,” Mr Dominello said.
“IDSupport NSW will for the first time provide a single point-of-contact for customers who have had their identity compromised, while ensuring we have a coordinated end-to-end privacy incident response service in NSW Government.
“The unit will remove the burden from customers who need to replace identification documents, improving their experience at what we know can be a difficult time.”
IDSupport NSW will work with government agencies to mitigate the risk of stolen or fraudulently obtained personal information and identity credentials being used for identity crimes and replace compromised identity documents where appropriate.
IDSupport will also provide the customer with options for additional support and counselling services.
The unit will work closely with Cyber Security NSW and other Government agencies to perform proactive mitigation activities and deliver education and awareness campaigns about personal cyber security and identity resilience.
“Identity crime is becoming increasingly sophisticated which is why improving identity resilience has been a key action in the NSW Identity Strategy,” Mr Dominello said.
IDSupport NSW will work across all NSW Government departments and in collaboration with Australian and New Zealand identity and cyber support service, IDCARE, to provide seamless replacement of compromised Government proof of identity documents and expert advice to address issues with broader identity misuse.
“Customers will be able to contact one phone number and receive the right guidance, information and support, saving time and frustration during what can be a stressful time,” Mr Dominello said.
IDSupport NSW will complement a framework the Department of Customer Service is currently developing to support state government agencies to identify and mitigate potential privacy issues which may arise from data breaches.
The framework was a key recommendation of the Parliamentary Inquiry into Cyber Security released earlier this year. The Department of Customer Service is currently recruiting for experts to join IDSupport NSW and focus on the future development of the project, which is due to be launched early next year.
NSW Privacy Commissioner, Samantha Gavel, welcomed the responsiveness of NSW Government in addressing the recommendations of the Parliamentary Inquiry into Cyber Security.
“Cyber security risks have been elevated in recent years through the development of rapidly evolving technology and techniques by malicious actors and cyber breaches represent an increasing threat to citizens’ personal and identity information,” Ms Gavel said.
“It is important to mitigate and prevent identity theft and provide appropriate support to NSW citizens whose identity information has been compromised. The Privacy Commissioner welcomes these initiatives to assist and support citizens.”
IDCARE CEO Dr David Lacey said he was looking forward to working closely with the NSW Government.
“The aim of the partnership with IDSupport NSW is to develop best practice approaches to address identity compromise arising from data breaches. This will complement IDCARE’s tried and tested approach to helping customers within Australia and New Zealand address issues with broader identity misuse,” Dr Lacey said.
In 2020, the NSW Government committed a record $240 million to bolster its internal cyber capacity, established a regional Cyber Security Hub in Bathurst, led the work for the first industry standards taskforce and introduced SME targets for ICT expenditure across Government.
This year an additional $75 million has been allocated to small agencies for cyber security uplift as part of the Digital Restart Fund.

The NSW Government is massively expanding the NSW national park estate with the purchase of two properties, Avenel/Mt Westwood station near Broken Hill and Koonaburra station near Ivanhoe, which will add a combined 166,924 hectares.
Environment Minister, Matt Kean said these two purchases take the total additions to the national park estate to 520,000 hectares since August 2019.
“In just over two years we have added over half a million hectares to our park estate, smashing target after target and securing precious habitat and biodiversity for future generations,” Mr Kean said.
“This latest expansion will conserve significant areas of critically important habitat types in western NSW that are not currently protected in the park estate.”
Both properties are significant in size, with the 121,390 hectare Avenel/Mt Westwood Station the second largest purchase by NPWS in the state’s history.
Avenel/Mt Westwood Station, a remote and ecologically diverse landscape on the South Australian border, features spectacular dune fields of the Strzelecki desert transitioning to the rocky plateau of the Barrier Range, with a network of river red gum and coolabah fringed rivers, creeks and watercourses. The property also supports habitat for an estimated 30 threatened plant and animal species including the Australian bustard and the dusky hopping mouse.
Koonaburra station, will add a further 45,534 hectares includingan extensive area of sandplain and dune field country featuring a vast network of water depressions (“melon holes”) providing important water sources for many species. It also supports habitat for at least 20 threatened animal species including the Major Mitchell cockatoo, Mallee fowl and the fat-tailed dunnart.
NPWS is currently delivering the biggest investment in visitor infrastructure in national park history and this program will be extended to both Avenel and Koonaburra, ensuring both properties become “must see destinations” for the millions who visit our national parks every year.

One of Australia’s fastest growing communities will soon see the construction of the new Green Square Public School following the State Significant Development Application (SSDA) lodgement.
The new primary school will provide fit-for-purpose learning spaces and core facilities to meet demand in the community. The project will include additional facilities designed for community use and shared spaces for both school and community use.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said this was exciting news for the community and she looked forward to construction starting.
“This school is an exciting project for the growing community and will be a centrepiece for the local area,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The school will bring world class educational facilities home to Green Square and build a precinct that the community and families will love.
“The NSW Government has continued to deliver for communities right across the State and families in Green Square will soon benefit from the record $15 billion investment in school building projects since 2017.”
An SSDA has been submitted to the City of Sydney for assessment, as delegated by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE).
The project is expected to begin site establishment and early works at Joynton Avenue later this year.
City of Sydney Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, said that the school will sit at the heart of the growing Green Square community and set a new benchmark for urban development.
“This revolutionary school design will provide much-needed community facilities that will be activated day and night for the whole community to use. It is an important addition to the area’s educational, social and cultural life,” the Lord Mayor said.
“By 2030, over 60,000 people will call Green Square home. The school will serve as a lynchpin that connects our award-winning library and civic plaza, 40 new parks and the Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre, which opened earlier this year. By planning for the community’s needs alongside residential development, we are transforming Sydney’s oldest industrial heartland into a lively, connected and well-serviced community.”
The NSW Government is  investing $7.9 billion over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 215 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This investment is part of the $15 billion school building program, the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.

Following its announcement of Australia’s largest hydrogen strategy, the NSW Government has released a new report outlining a roadmap to build a thriving Power-to-X (P2X) industry which could see the state become a global renewable energy superpower.
P2X technologies use cheap, excess renewable energy to split abundant molecules such as water, carbon dioxide and air to make green products like hydrogen, ammonia, methane and methanol for use as fuel, chemicals and feedstocks in NSW and for export to overseas markets as green energy commodities.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney and Minister for Trade and Industry Stuart Ayres said the NSW P2X Industry Pre-Feasibility Study, led by UNSW Sydney, had unearthed the state’s potential to become a global leader in P2X.
“This is further confirmation that NSW intends to lead the country in green hydrogen production. Our state has an opportunity to capitalise on the global pivot to low-carbon fuels to commoditise our renewable resources and export to overseas markets, creating both clean energy and jobs for NSW,” Mr Ayres said.
“It’s critical that our future industry and investment planning aligns with NSW’s 2050 net-zero emissions target. NSW is revolutionising its industry and workforce by embracing new technologies to meet this commitment.
“A thriving P2X industry could also unlock opportunities to boost regional and NSW economics, with the report identifying opportunities to establish P2X industries in several regional centres including the Illawarra, Hunter and Parkes.
“By leveraging existing and planned infrastructure such as ports, inland rail and logistics hubs, our regional centres will become the powerhouse of P2X production to supply the local and global market.”
Treasurer and Minister for Energy and Environment Matt Kean said the study reaffirms NSW’s ambition to set the state up as a global hydrogen leader.
“P2X will not only help NSW in getting to net zero in 2050 and halving its emissions by 2030, it will create new opportunities for our heavy industry and make our state a global renewable powerhouse.” Mr Kean said.
NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte said P2X will unlock the next wave of clean technology development opportunities for NSW.
“With many states in Australia and countries around the world now joining the hydrogen race, NSW is thinking beyond the hydrogen economy and aims to take the first-mover advantage to build our capabilities and industries in P2X,” Professor Durrant-Whyte said.
The NSW P2X Industry Pre-Feasibility Study roadmap proposes:

1. A P2X Innovation Network to enhance collaboration between industry, researchers and government in technology advancement and industry development
2. Establishing a P2X R&D Commercialisation Hub to provide research infrastructure, expertise, and resources to support commercialisation-driven R&D
3. Deploying early stage P2X projects to pave the way for technology adoption at commercial scale
4. Identifying export opportunities for P2X products
5. Targeted investment in homegrown disruptive technologies
6. Building vertically integrated P2X value chains and local manufacturing capability
7. Developing P2X eco-industrial precincts to lay the foundation for NSW’s P2X economy.

To read the full study, visit: https://www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au/rdnsw/future-industries-reports/p2x

The NSW Government’s new learn to swim voucher program will be expanded from preschool-aged children to include kindergarten kids who missed out on lessons due to COVID restrictions.
Under the ‘First Lap’ program, eligible children can access a $100 voucher for swimming lessons with an approved provider, with businesses able to register for it from next month.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the program, which starts on December 1, would be extended to cover children in kindergarten this year, or who are starting kindergarten in 2022.
“Because of COVID restrictions, our kindy kids have missed a crucial window of being able to develop the skills they need to stay safe in the water,” Mr Perrottet said.
“It’s really important they don’t miss out, so we’re making sure they can also access the First Lap voucher program now that our pools are back open for lessons.”
Minister for Sport Natalie Ward said the NSW Government will invest $54 million over two years in the program, which will also ease cost of living pressures for families.
“Summer in Australia is all about swimming, at your local pool, beach or river. We know families have been doing it tough during the COVID lockdown and the First Lap program will also ensure family budgets aren’t stretched so our kids have these crucial skills,” Mrs Ward said.
Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello said the program was one of more than 70 NSW Government savings helping to ease cost-of-living pressures for households, including the Active Kids and Creative Kids programs.
“This is in addition to a host of other savings including energy rebates, free car registration and lower green slip costs,” Mr Dominello said.
Active Kids vouchers can be used by school-enrolled children, including those in kindergarten,  for sport and recreation activities such as swimming lessons. Families can apply for the First Lap vouchers from 1 December, through Service NSW.

The final stage of the return to school begins today with more than 500,000 students from Years 2 to 11 welcomed back to classrooms across Greater Sydney and remaining regional areas of NSW.
To help students return to normal life and support their studies, restrictions on school sport will be lifted and HSC special consideration extended for students most impacted by the learning from home period.
From Monday, November 1, school sport can resume on site, schools can utilise external sport facilities in line with community sport guidelines, and schools can engage in inter-school sport outside of school hours.
Other restrictions will similarly be reviewed over the next few weeks, with a focus on continuing to ensure the health and safety of children and families as we progressively re-open NSW.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said he was thrilled students were finally all back in the classroom and returning to normal life and praised students, teachers and parents for their patience.
“The majority of students returning today have not been in the classroom since the end of Term 2 and it is fantastic they are back where the best learning happens,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Now that we’ve achieved our goal of returning students to the classroom as quickly and safely as possible, our focus is on helping students settle back in and catch up on their education.”
“It’s important life gets back to normal as quickly as possible for students, and school sport resuming is a big step towards this goal.”
Schools are also now able to make applications on behalf of HSC students who have experienced severe disruption during the learning from home period through the NSW Education Standards Authority’s (NESA) new COVID-19 Special Consideration Program for HSC written exams.
The program is open to students whose learning was significantly compromised for six weeks or more due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said with students back, the job of helping them recover and excel in their education begins.
“Of the 512,000 students returning today, more than 180,000 are from former LGA’s of concern, and a number of these students are sitting their HSC this year ,” Ms Mitchell said.
NESA’s COVID-19 Special Consideration Program for HSC written exams is designed for those hardest hit by the pandemic, enabling NESA to take into consideration these unique circumstances while still maintaining a fair and equitable HSC.
Strict safety measures remain in place at all NSW public schools. A recent survey of more than 88,000 parents from 799 schools returning today found 82 per cent of parents were supportive of a return to the classroom and happy with the safety measures in place.
More information on the COVID-19 Special Consideration Program can be found here: educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/covid-advice

Premier Dominic Perrottet has welcomed news up to 11,000 Qantas and Jetstar workers will be reinstated nationwide as international travel prepares for take-off.
The Premier joined Prime Minister Scott Morrison at Sydney Domestic Airport this morning to welcome the announcement by Qantas CEO Alan Joyce after workers were stood down during the pandemic.
Mr Perrottet said the announcement means our international tourism industry is set to soar back to life.
“I’m thrilled for every single Qantas employee who is returning to work. What this means for them and their families can’t be underestimated,” Mr Perrottet said.
“I’d like to especially thank those airline workers who we worked on the frontline of our vaccine rollout in recent months.
“Today’s announcement means our tourism industry is roaring down the runway and is ready for take-off while the government’s Economic Recovery Strategy is taking effect.”
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said the revival of international travel was sparked by the lifting of NSW quarantine restrictions.
The airline announced it will bring forward a number of international routes and expand its service to include a new direct route from Sydney to Delhi.
From November 1, and subject to Commonwealth border restrictions, fully-vaccinated travellers from overseas can enter New South Wales without having to quarantine.
Earlier this week, the NSW Government announced a $60 million Aviation Attraction Fund to incentivise international airlines to re-commence flights to Sydney.

More than $530 million will be invested in reviving events across the state and getting tourism back on track as part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.
The tourism and events recovery package includes:

• $250 million for the expanded Stay & Rediscover scheme providing a $50 voucher to all NSW adults to redeem at accommodation premises across NSW;
• $150 million to support the recovery of major event activity across the state including $50 million for a Regional Events Package to support major events, festivals, agricultural shows and community events across the regions.
• $60 million for an Aviation Attraction Fund to incentivise international airlines to re-commence flights to Sydney;
• $6 million to bring business events back to the city;
• $50 million for the CBDs Revitalisation Program to support events and activations in CBDs across Greater Sydney and surrounds; and
• An Event Saver Fund to provide immediate support to organisers if events are cancelled or disrupted by any public health orders during the 2021-22 summer.
• $25 million for the Festival Relaunch package – to stabilise established commercial and not-for-profit festivals, big and small, so they can program with confidence into 2022/23.
• $10 million for a Recovery Marketing Campaign including an extension of the successful roadtrips campaign launched in 2020

Premier Dominic Perrottet said this package would bring back tourists and supercharge the businesses and attractions that contribute $38 billion to our economy, making the state one of the world’s most popular destinations.
“Millions of people around the world dream of visiting Sydney and our regional areas. This package not only ensures they can, but that they’ll experience the very best of what we have to offer,” Mr Perrottet said.
“It’s also great news for people right across our state, reviving events and businesses and bringing our major drawcards back to life.  Importantly, more than 300,000 people rely on our tourism industry and our aim is to reclaim our position as one of the world’s favourite destinations.”
Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said the much needed investment will help revive shuttered businesses and bring tourism providers back to their vibrant best.
“This was a one in one hundred year event which severely damaged our tourism industry,  operators barely hung in there as they lost bookings, customers and staff, now as we rebuild we can do so with confidence,” Mr Ayres said.
“For our visitor economy to reach its full potential we need event owners to dream big, airlines to fly in and for locals and visitors to embrace our world class venues and hospitality with enthusiasm once again.”
Treasurer Matt Kean said getting tourism back on track and reviving the visitor economy is key to our economic recovery.
“We know NSW is the best place to live, work, learn and play, but this is about bringing visitors back, boosting business and serving up the best of what NSW has to offer to the world,” Mr Kean said.
“We want to support citizens to get out and explore their own backyard, give our events sector the confidence to get back to business and send the signal to the airline industry that NSW is and always will be Australia’s gateway to the world.”
24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues said the lights of our cities have been dimmed for too long.
“Whether you are heading back to the office, in town for a show or a game, or meeting some friends for an alfresco drink, we want to make going into city centres a magical experience”.
The tourism recovery package is a key part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Strategy.

Motorists in NSW are now closer than ever before to getting behind the wheel of their first electric vehicle (EV) with the NSW Government’s NSW EV Strategy legislation passing through the NSW Parliament.
The NSW Government has committed $490 million towards EVs, helping to cut taxes, provide $3,000 rebates and install ultra-fast EV chargers right across the State.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said these incentives make NSW the best place in Australia to buy and drive an electric vehicle.
“This is a comprehensive suite of measures, which ensures we have the right mix in place to boost the take-up of electric vehicles and give people access to the latest technology,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The strategy also starts us down the road of long-term tax reform as we embark on phasing out stamp duty on electric vehicles and making sure everyone who drives on our roads contributes to their funding and maintenance.”
Treasurer and Minister for Energy and Environment Matt Kean said the NSW EV Strategy is nation-leading and will ensure at least 50 per cent of new cars sales are EVs by 2030.
“To achieve net zero emissions by 2050, the majority of new cars sold in NSW need to be EVs by 2035,” Mr Kean said.
“This is the beginning of an EV revolution in NSW, with more drivers set to benefit from lower taxes and $3,000 rebates on their next EV purchase.”
“Our Strategy is all about helping more drivers to benefit from the latest and best driving technology and I welcome the cross party support for the legislation.”
Drivers who have registered a new, eligible EV after 1 September 2021 can apply for a refund of the stamp duty and one of the 25,000 rebates worth $3,000. Applications will open on 1 November 2021.
Also from 1 November, eligible electric vehicles will be able to use Transit T2 and T3 lanes until at least 31 October 2022, making travelling in an EV even easier.
Minister for Transport and Roads Rob Stokes said the EV Strategy would help to reduce air and noise pollution created on the State’s roads.
“The transport sector currently makes up one-fifth of carbon emissions in NSW, with almost half of those coming from passenger vehicles,” Mr Stokes said.
“This policy will give the green light to industry to increase model availability and cut the costs of EVs.”