Category: NSW News

Police have issued $12,500 in Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) to employees and customers at a Western Sydney brothel, which was still operating in breach of current Public Health Orders.
About 10.15pm yesterday (Monday 30 August 2021), officers from Cumberland Police Area Command attended a brothel at Rydalmere, after receiving a report via Crime Stoppers that it was still in operation – a breach of the Public Health Orders.
The officers first spoke with the 57-year-old female owner before entering the premises and locating three female employees – aged 31, 36, and 56 – and two male patrons – aged 56 and 57, none of whom were wearing face masks.
All parties initially denied the business was operating – one man stating he was quoting for painting works, and the other visiting his girlfriend.
Police soon confirmed the business had been operating, and the group was advised they would each receive a PIN for not wearing face masks and all but the 36-year-old woman, who was living at the location, would receive a PIN for breaching curfew in an area of concern.
Further, the owner was issued a $5000 PIN for fail to comply with noticed direction – corporation.
All parties were directed to return to their homes, but a short time later, police observed the 31-year-old woman attempting to return to the location.
She was arrested and taken to Granville Police Station, where she was charged with not comply with curfew-area of concern and not wear fitted face covering indoor area of common property.
The Strathfield woman was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday 5 October 2021.

Netball NSW, alongside the NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball, is delighted to announce the launch of the organisation’s first Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
A project which started in 2019, Netball NSW’s RAP has now been formally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia. This is the first step in turning intentions into actions to create a safer space for Indigenous Australians across NSW’s netball community. It is also key to netball’s role in the wider reconciliation of the nation.
Through this framework Netball NSW can ensure it is in the best possible position to implement effective and mutually beneficial initiatives which also properly respect and recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within our community.
The Reflect RAP has been developed as a collaboration between the Netball NSW RAP Working Group and internal and external stakeholders. Netball NSW would like to extend their gratitude to RAP Working Group Members Casey Ralph, Marcia Ella Duncan OAM, Professor John Evans, Ali Tucker Munro, Donna Coady, Georgina Cohen and Whitney Skuthorpe.
Netball NSW CEO, Tain Drinkwater said the release of the organisation’s RAP was a very meaningful step towards reconciliation and awareness in the state’s netball community.
“This is a hugely important day in our organisation’s history,” she said.
“I would like to thank the RAP Working Group the Netball NSW staff involved for their dedication to this project over the past three years, as well as their patient and sensitive approach to it.
“They have addressed actions under Reconciliation Australia’s four key pillars – relationships, respect, opportunities, and governance – which will form a framework for significant impact and outcomes across our game state-wide.
“It is important to note that netball, across the nation, hasn’t always been leaders in this space but the past 12 months have seen a much greater celebration of our nation’s Indigenous culture – from Super Netball to grassroots.
“This RAP now gives us a much-needed reference point and I look forward to stakeholders of all levels in our game making use of this excellent resource, which will be revisited annually to ensure it remains relevant in an ever-changing society.”
To view Netball NSW’s RAP and Artwork CLICK HERE
ABOUT RAP ARTWORK:
Netball NSW’s Reflect RAP artwork, entitled Together For Growth, has been designed by proud Wiradjuri woman Maree Bisby, who hails from the Mudgee Region.
Bisby is based in the Hunter and enjoys netball with family and friends in the Newcastle area, as both a player and parent.
Together For Growth symbolises the many dimensions and levels of the netball community. The use of traditional symbols such as footprints, rain, meeting place and watering hole, along with stars, and universe show the ability of all to dream and reach for their goals.
Individually we can soar but in a team we can reach higher. It takes all of the natural elements of the earth to connect to one another and to believe and achieve greatness.
The seven paths around the netball symbolise the seven players on the court with the symbols of man, woman and person again representing the netball community, inclusive of gender identity or fluidity.
No path in life and success is straight, hence the curvature and direction of the path, leading to one’s own destiny. The path is off the canvas, to highlight that we each are members of community and can influence each other in our own way. The brightness of the colours symbolise the fun and positivity of netball and the harmony and connection we all have.

Older people, the LGBTIQ community and people living in regional NSW are among the at-risk groups who will now have improved access to mental health support thanks to the NSW Government’s Suicide Prevention Fund.
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said that $8 million in funding has been allocated to six organisations committed to engaging with communities known to have higher rates of suicide.
“We know that there are some groups of individuals who are at greater risk of suicide due to issues such as past trauma, stigma or isolation,” Mrs Taylor said.
“These experiences not only destabilise their mental health and sense of connectedness, they also make it extremely hard to ask for support.
“This is all about encouraging safe conversations around suicide and suicidal behaviour so people in these priority groups know how and where to access the help that is right for them.”
The NSW Government is also in the final stages of identifying an Aboriginal-owned organisation to deliver targeted suicide prevention activities to First Australians.
The funded services and activities are:

The $8 million investment is in addition to the $87 million Towards Zero Suicides investment. Towards Zero Suicides is a NSW Premier’s Priority.
If you, or someone you know, is thinking about suicide or experiencing a personal crisis or distress, please seek help immediately by calling 000 (Triple Zero).
For anyone who is struggling, you can call the below helplines for support and advice:
Lifeline 13 11 14 | Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 | NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511.

The NSW Government has launched the next phase of its statewide COVID-19 advertising campaign aimed at encouraging people across NSW to get vaccinated.
Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello said the ‘Let’s Do This’ campaign is designed to encourage people to get their COVID-19 vaccinations so we can all get back to doing the things we love.
“NSW has done it tough over the last 18 months but we can’t lose sight of what we’re all aiming for, which is to open the state back up again,” Mr Dominello said.
“This ad hopes to capture what we’re working towards and the importance vaccinations play in that recovery.”
The campaign will include metropolitan and regional television and newspapers, as well as radio, digital, social media and out of home advertising across NSW from Sunday 29 August with material translated into 19 languages and adapted for Aboriginal media channels.
“NSW recently passed six and a half million vaccinations and it’s vital we keep this momentum going,” Mr Dominello said.
“Vaccinations don’t just protect ourselves, our family, our friends and our community – they will get us back doing the things we love to do.
“Anyone that is yet to make a booking for their first vaccination can get online and book an appointment.”
COVID-19 vaccines are free for everyone in Australia regardless of Medicare or visa status and are available to book at more than 2,000 locations in NSW including GPs, pharmacies, and NSW Health vaccination clinics.
To make a COVID-19 vaccination booking go to www.nsw.gov.au

Small and medium businesses working with the NSW Government can now track their invoices more easily and get paid faster, thanks to the launch of the Supplier Hub Invoicing Portal.
The invoicing portal, launched on Buy.NSW’s Supplier Hub, gives more than 20,000 suppliers a centralised source for all invoicing information; allowing them to submit invoices to e-Invoicing enabled agencies and check the status of submitted invoices.
Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello said the portal is an important step leading up to next year’s e-Invoicing mandate.
“We are putting the customer at the centre of the process. The Hub will save suppliers time and money by reducing payment times, paperwork, and manual errors,” Mr Dominello said.
“This is a one-stop shop for suppliers to register to sell to NSW Government, update their information, view opportunities and share procurement-related information.
“We want to reduce the amount of time businesses have to deal with government, so they can instead focus on running their operations.”
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said the new portal would reduce red tape and make the invoicing process easier.
“Cash flow is one of the most important issues for businesses and often it can take time to receive payment,” Mr Tudehope said.
“This portal will facilitate faster and on time payments to businesses to cut down on unnecessary stress for those who just want to get on with the job.”
The e-Invoicing service has been enabled across the 42 agencies that are part of the Customer Service, Premier and Cabinet, Treasury and Stronger Communities & Justice clusters.
Businesses with a Supplier Hub account, and which do not use any accounting software, can use the Portal to quickly send their invoices to agencies that are enabled for e-Invoicing.
All State Government agencies will be expected to receive e-Invoices by 1 January 2022.
Based on the 4.2 million invoices across NSW Government in 2019, a shared saving between the suppliers and NSW Government is estimated to be $71 million.

Cyclists will soon be able to ride safely from Sydney’s east to the CBD, with work now underway on new pathways through Queens Park.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the new bike and pedestrian paths along Darley Road will form a critical link in the active transport network.
“This project will be welcome news to the many people who visit Centennial Parklands or cycle from the east to the CBD as their journey will no longer be along a goat track on the edge of the park,” Mr Stokes said.
“We’re replacing it with wider pathways for cyclists and pedestrians, providing safe bike access through the Parklands as well as providing an alternative to driving a car.”
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the works were the result of collaboration between Transport for NSW, Greater Sydney Parklands, and Randwick and Waverley councils.
“This is a fantastic active transport link that will make the journey between the eastern suburbs and the CBD much safer, and will also attract new cyclists,” Mr Constance said.
“It will run along Darley Road, connecting York Road to Carrington Road, and will be complete early next year.”
Member for Vaucluse Gabrielle Upton said there had been strong demand from local residents, park users and cycle advocacy groups for the project to go ahead.
“This is great news, particularly for kids and parents who use Queens Park for weekend sport.  Now they will be able to cycle to sport instead of getting caught in traffic jams,” Ms Upton said.
Project details can be found on the Centennial Parklands website.

For the latest COVID-19 advice & information please visit www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

NEW FREEDOMS FOR VACCINATED FIRST STEP ON STATE ROADMAP OUT OF COVID

• People across NSW who have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed more freedoms next month after NSW hit the target of six million jabs.
• This is the first step in the roadmap and further freedoms will follow for those who have had the jab when the state hits new vaccination targets of 70 and 80 per cent.
• From 12.01am, Monday, 13 September:
  • For those who live outside the LGAs of concern, outdoor gatherings of up to five people (including children, all adults must be vaccinated) will be allowed in a person’s LGA or within 5km of home.
  • For those who live in the LGAs of concern, households with all adults vaccinated will be able to gather outdoors for recreation (including picnics) within the existing rules (for one hour only, outside curfew hours and within 5km of home). This is in addition to the one hour allowed for exercise.
• As part of the roadmap when the following targets are hit, freedoms will be as follows:
  • 70 per cent full vaccination: a range of family, industry, community and economic restrictions to be lifted for those who are vaccinated.
  • 80 per cent full vaccination: further easing of restrictions on industry, community and the economy.
• The government is also investigating trials of certain industries in coming months, as a proof-of-concept measure to prepare the businesses to open up and operate in a COVID-safe way.

NSW FIRST TO MANDATE COVID JABS FOR ALL HEALTH STAFF

• Healthcare workers in NSW will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to help ensure the safety of colleagues and patients in all public and private hospitals.
• Under the Public Health Order, health staff must have a first dose of vaccine by 30 September 2021 and be fully vaccinated by 30 November 2021, or at least have their second appointment booked to continue working.
• Frontline health staff and their families have had priority access to COVID-19 vaccines since the commencement of the Federal Government’s vaccination rollout in February.
• Already in NSW, mandatory vaccinations for frontline health staff are required for contagious diseases including influenza, chicken pox, measles and whooping cough.
• Those who have a medical contraindication will be exempt if a medical practitioner confirms the medical contraindication.

HSC IN NOVEMBER AND ALL STUDENTS TO RETURN TO SCHOOL IN TERM 4

• There will be a staggered return to face-to-face learning from October, HSC exams will be delayed until November and vaccinations for school staff will be mandatory based on the return to school plan released by the NSW Government.
• Students will return to face-to-face learning with NSW Health approved COVID safe settings on school sites in the following order:
  • From 25 October – Kindergarten and Year 1
  • From 1 November – Year 2, 6 and 11
  • From 8 November – Year 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10
• HSC exams will be delayed until 9 November with a revised timetable and guidelines for a COVID-safe HSC to be released by NESA in early September. Importantly, the delay of the HSC exams will not disadvantage NSW students when applying to university.
• Vaccinations for all school staff across all sectors will be mandatory from 8 November. NSW Health will be providing priority vaccinations at Qudos Bank Arena for school staff the week beginning 6 September.
• Early childcare staff will also be able to participate in the priority vaccinations from 6 September. All school and early childcare staff are also encouraged to make use of the GP network to be vaccinated with whatever vaccine is available as soon as possible.

MORE FREE TRAINING OPTIONS DURING LOCKDOWN

• The NSW Government has announced an additional 3000 training places for people across NSW to skill up at home during lockdown.
• An extra 60 short courses are now on offer to study for free including business skills, mental health, marketing, finance and IT skillsets.
• The courses are an expansion of the 10 free skillsets recently announced by TAFE NSW and are targeted at LGAs and suburbs in lockdown.
• Training will be funded through the JobTrainer program, which has already seen more than 120,000 people in NSW skill up since it was announced in October 2020.
• For more information and to see full eligibility, please visit: https://bit.ly/37DYSvq.

$200 MILLION SUPPORT PACKAGE FOR NOT-FOR-PROFITS

• The NSW Government has announced a $200 million support package for the Not-for-Profit (NFP) sector to help organisations faced with the financial impacts of the current restrictions.
• The funding initiative comes on top of the more than $5.1 billion, including $1 billion in Commonwealth support, announced by the Government since the end of June.
• The support package targets those NFPs providing social support and animal welfare with Service NSW and the Department of Communities and Justice to process applications from next month.
• The Social Sector Support Fund will provide grants and direct payments to eligible NFPs and provide a Workforce Surge Payment to support social sector organisations to respond to COVID-19 outbreaks where staff have been furloughed.
• Further details will become available in the coming weeks.

RECORD SUPPORT PACKAGE FOR VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES

• A record emergency relief package of $18.8 million will be delivered by the NSW Government in the latest boost to support vulnerable members of our community during the latest COVID outbreak.
• The package will focus on the 12 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of concern to give urgent help to those experiencing hardship.
• The $18.8 million package will help grassroots organisations deliver emergency food relief, promote vaccination and testing services, and provide culturally appropriate support and care to diverse communities.
• The package includes a $13 million grants program delivering emergency relief through not-for-profit and multicultural community organisations, as well as local councils. It also includes $4 million for ongoing multicultural communications, including interpreting and translation services, to deliver critical health messages.
• Grants of up to $30,000 for local organisations are now open. Other grant streams as part of the $13 million package will open soon. For more information, see https://multicultural.nsw.gov.au/.

SCORE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY THIS SUPER SUNDAY

• Sport Super Sunday is being held at vaccination centres for the twelve LGAs of concern this weekend to help Team NSW beat COVID-19.
• Plenty of appointments are available at Qudos Bank Arena and the NSW Health Vaccination Centre at Sydney Olympic Park and the Vaccination Centre at Macquarie Fields this Sunday, August 29, for all sports lovers.
• Those aged 16 to 39 who live in Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta, Strathfield or Penrith, should make a booking via https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/health-and-wellbeing/covid-19-vaccination-nsw/get-your-covid-19-vaccination-nsw.
• Wear team uniforms, colours, or gear and take a selfie to post on your local club sites with the hash tag #vaccinationchampion.
• If you can’t make it this Sunday, we have other vaccination appointments at our centres over the next two weeks.

NSW PUTS FOOT ON THE GREEN GAS WITH HYDROGEN PLATFORM

• The rollout of the State’s hydrogen hubs is set to be accelerated, with the establishment of a collaboration platform to bring together potential hydrogen producers and users.
• The platform is about connecting sophisticated market players with new and emerging hydrogen users to fuel the development of hydrogen hubs in NSW.
• As part of the Net Zero Industry and Innovation Program, the NSW Government has committed a minimum of $70 million to develop hydrogen hubs in the Hunter and Illawarra regions.
• Stakeholders that submitted a hydrogen-related registration of interest to the Net Zero Industry and Innovation Program will automatically receive an invitation to participate. Other organisations can get involved by contacting the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s, Hydrogen and Clean Energy team at hydrogen@planning.nsw.gov.au.

New pathways, riverside seating and an amphitheatre for concerts and festivals are part of a $10 million upgrade to a waterfront reserve in Penrith.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the work in Tench Reserve, located on the Nepean River, could now begin as the final concept design had been released.
“One of my goals as Minister for Public Spaces is to create a city within a park, and this means we need a Green – and Blue – Grid to link our parks together,” Mr Stokes said
“The upgrade to Tench Reserve is the type of project needed to realise this goal. As part of the wonderful Parks for People program, it’s a park for people, by people.”
Member for Penrith and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said Tench Reserve  was already well-loved by locals but the $10 million enhancements would attract visitors from all over Sydney.
“The upgrade to this 14 hectare park will connect the Nepean River to Nepean Parklands with new pathways, seating, an improved wharf and an amphitheatre to support major events such as the annual Real Festival,” Mr Ayres said.
“Other features of the upgrade include an expansion of the play space for children of all ages and abilities, improved access to the water, more landscaping, and 80 new trees.
“Construction is expected to start later this year and be completed at the end of 2022.”
Tench Reserve is one of eight open spaces – Glenfield, Carrawood, Belrose, Frenchs Forest, Leppington and George Kendall (Parramatta) – to be created or upgraded as part of the NSW Government’s $50 million Parks for People program.

One of the state’s largest hospital projects will begin within weeks, with the main works contractor appointed for the $790 million Liverpool Health and Academic Precinct.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard announced the awarding of the principal contract to Lendlease, following a competitive tender process.
“The Liverpool Health and Academic Precinct will deliver a world-class medical, research and education hub in the rapidly growing south-western Sydney region,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The redevelopment will be a real boost for communities throughout the region, bringing greatly enhanced healthcare services closer to home.”
The redeveloped hospital will provide a total of 900 beds, an expanded emergency department, new maternity and paediatric inpatient beds and double the capacity within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Another key feature will be a new, expanded Integrated Cancer Centre which will almost double the chemotherapy treatment spaces.
Member for Holsworthy Melanie Gibbons said the redevelopment would boost the local economy and meet the south-western Sydney’s community’s growing healthcare needs now and into the future.
“The start of major works at this new world-class precinct will support thousands of jobs during the construction phases and beyond, which will be greatly welcomed as we recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Ms Gibbons said.
Construction of a $50 million multi-storey car park for the Liverpool Hospital is already underway, with work being carried out by ADCO Constructions.
The precinct is part of the NSW Government’s record $10.8 billion investment in health infrastructure over four years to 2024-2025.
Over $5.5 billion in health capital works are underway in  Western and South Western Sydney including:

• $790 million for the Liverpool Health and Academic Precinct
• $1.3 billion for a new Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital
• $832 million Westmead Hospital redevelopment
• $65 million Commonwealth Government funded adult Cystic Fibrosis Specialist Services Unit at Westmead.
• $619 million Children’s Hospital at Westmead Stage 2
• $632 million Campbelltown Hospital redevelopment Stage 2
• $1 billion Nepean Hospital redevelopment
• $300 million for a Rouse Hill Hospital.

Work on Liverpool Hospital is expected to start in the coming weeks, to be completed by 2026.