Category: NSW News

A dedicated freight-friendly COVID-19 testing site is opening in Wetherill Park tomorrow, making it easier for heavy vehicle drivers to get tested in the Greater Sydney area.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the Sydney pop-up site was in addition to the five sites already open along key freight routes across the state to keep freight moving and freight workers COVIDSafe.
“The NSW Government has been working closely with the freight industry, which is doing a phenomenal job to keep essential goods moving into our communities through this pandemic,” Mr Toole said.
“We know that heavy vehicles are not able to easily access the large majority of the current community testing locations, and these pop-up sites make it easier for our truckies to get tested and get back on the road.
“With increased mandatory testing requirements in place for freight workers across multiple jurisdictions, we have seen unprecedented demand on our freight testing sites, so opening Sydney’s first site tomorrow will be very welcome news.”
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the Sydney-based site will provide operators with more choice as they carry out their essential work.
“The new Wetherill Park site will allow truck drivers safe and efficient access to COVID-19 tests which will help them remain safe as they move across the state,” Mr Constance said.
“This facility is a welcome addition to our already existing freight COVID-19 testing sites at key transport routes, as it will help support the freight industry comply with testing requirements.”
The site at 250 Victoria Street is open from 7am Saturday, 7 August and will be supported by pathology staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
To find out more, visit:
https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/operations/freight-hub/transport-for-nsw-response-to-covid-19-for-freight-industry

A record number of new apprentices and trainees are being hired to work on vital road and transport infrastructure, helping to keep jobs and money in the regions.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said applications were now open for a record 76 placements as part of the Transport for NSW Apprentice and Trainee Program.
“As we roll out our record $71.5 billion transport regional infrastructure program, we’re committed to engaging locals to continue learning in their local community and set them up for work at the end of their training, helping keep jobs in the regions,” Mr Toole said.
“Since the program launched in 2015, nearly 90 per cent of roles have gone to those living in regional areas, helping communities bounce back from drought, bushfires, flooding and the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This program provides great employment opportunities for job seekers or people who are looking to change careers, while at the same time developing skills and knowledge within regional communities to support future infrastructure needs.
“Many apprentices and trainees go on to secure permanent employment at Transport for NSW, with 80 per cent of participants whose programs ended in 2020 and 2021 appointed to roles after or during their program.”
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said Transport was committed to developing a diverse workforce, with women accounting for 40 per cent and Aboriginal people accounting for 24 per cent of apprentices and trainees.
“This program is about giving people the chance to work in the public service, as well as improving Aboriginal and female representation across the transport sector,” Mr Constance said.
“The program opens up opportunities across six disciplines, including civil construction, business administration, bridge carpentry, heavy diesel mechanical, electrical, and a new program for project management.
“I’ve seen first-hand how this program has changed lives by building a skills legacy to meet future needs within the local community.
“As we continue to invest in road and infrastructure projects, it is important we have people on the ground who have the skills in maintenance and operational delivery.”
Applications for the Apprentice and Traineeship are open from today to midnight 22 August 2021. For more information or to apply visit Apprentice and Trainee Programs | Transport for NSW

Households across NSW who need help paying their energy bills will be able to access up to $1,600 per year in financial support during the current COVID lockdown.
Energy Minister Matt Kean said the NSW Government is increasing the caps under the Energy Accounts Payments Assistance (EAPA) scheme to ease some of the cost-of-living pressures borne by households during this COVID Delta strain outbreak.
“The current COVID outbreak has put an increased strain on some household budgets, with more of us staying at home during these winter months,” Mr Kean said.
“In this difficult time, we want make sure households in NSW not only keep the lights on but keep their families safe, warm and comfortable. That is why NSW energy customers facing hardship will be able to access up to $1,600 per year in bill support.”
“Don’t hesitate if you need bill support, log onto the Service NSW website and register for an energy voucher assessment.”
The EAPA assessment threshold has been temporarily increased from $300 to $400 per assessment, meaning the annual maximum limit of vouchers per household has increased from $1,200 to $1,600. The duration of the increased limits will be reviewed on an ongoing basis in light of lockdown circumstances.
EAPA representatives can also help customers to contact their energy retailers to get customers onto hardship plans, further protecting customers during this difficult time.
Residential energy customers can easily apply for EAPA vouchers directly through Service NSW to schedule an assessment without having to leave their house.
The NSW Government also offers six other rebates to help with energy bills. Residents looking to save on their energy bills are encouraged to visit the Energy Saver website found HERE.

About 140,000 more customers from Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains who have a plastic NSW photo card ID can now access a digital version through the Service NSW app, thanks to the trial of the technology being expanded this week.
Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello said the expansion to 60 more postcodes follows a successful trial of the Digital Photo Card in the Penrith and Blacktown areas, which has seen 6560 people participate, with 98 per cent giving the technology the thumbs up.
“Close to 20 per cent of photo card holders live in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains so it makes sense to expand the trial to this region,” Mr Dominello said.
“Plastic photo card holders in the trial areas will be able to use their mobile device with businesses who check ID, such as pharmacies, liquor stores and major retailers. The technology is safe, contactless and easy to use, making life easier for customers during the pandemic.
“Eligible existing photo card holders can opt-in for the digital version from the Service NSW app, or when a customer is issued with a new Photo Card or updates their details, they can simply refresh the app to update their digital card, without having to wait for a plastic card to arrive in the post.
“This builds on existing successful digital products made available via the Service NSW app, including checking in safely to venues and the Digital Driver Licence, which has been downloaded by about 3.3 million licence holders, representing almost 59 per cent of drivers.”
The trial will further test the functionality and effectiveness of the Digital Photo Card ahead of the state-wide rollout.
The Digital Photo Card will also remain available offline if the card holder remains logged into the Service NSW app. It is hosted securely on the Service NSW app, which is locked with a PIN.
The full list of postcodes on the extended trial is here: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/nsw-digital-photo-card/participating-postcodes-and-suburbs

NSW has recorded the highest number of apprentices and trainees in training of any state or territory in Australia with a 15 per cent increase in commencements in 2020 despite the COVID pandemic.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said recently released data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) shows NSW represents 30 per cent of the national total of commencements for apprenticeships and traineeships in 2020.
“The NCVER report shows NSW has the highest number of apprentices and trainees in training of any state or territory in Australia with an increase in commencements of 15 per cent compared to 10.6 per cent nationally during 2020,” Mr Lee said.
“This is a fantastic result, particularly considering the impacts of drought, bushfires and COVID-19 that have affected NSW in the last year.
“The Federal and NSW Government funded JobTrainer skills package and the Commonwealth Government’s Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements initiative, both announced in the second half of last year, are doing their job in bolstering apprenticeship and traineeship approvals in the last quarter of 2020 and into 2021.
“The impressive numbers are also a testament to NSW employers for keeping their young apprentices on board during COVID-19, and to our Training Providers for finding new and innovative ways to maintain training.”
The Apprentice Employment Network Executive Officer Jason Sultana said the increase in numbers was a reflection of just how important VET industries were to the State’s prosperity and economic recovery.
“Government initiatives to bolster apprenticeships has given employers the confidence to invest in the next generation of young workers,” Mr Sultana said.
“Investing in skilling tradespeople is also an investment in the State’s future and it’s great to see the Government backing our apprentices and training organisations.”
Key findings of the NCVER report include:

• Apprenticeship and traineeship commencement numbers show an increase of 15 per cent for NSW compared to 10.6 per cent nationally during 2020 with the NSW total of 50,345 representing 30 per cent of the national total.
• Apprentices and trainees currently in training in NSW in 2020 show an increase of 13.6 per cent compared to 2019.
• NSW has more than 93,880 apprentices and trainees in training, representing 32 per cent of Australia’s total of 297,920.

 

NSW Police will continue to reinforce the importance of complying with the requirements of the Public Health Order, with a focus on abiding by mask wearing rules.
Rules for wearing fitted face coverings include:
• You must wear a face mask at indoor non-residential premises in NSW
• You must wear a face mask when using public transport
• You must wear a face mask in a major recreation facility
• You must carry a face mask with you at all times if you are in the local government areas of Greater Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour.
• You must wear a face mask if you go outside in a public area in the Blacktown, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool or Parramatta local government areas.
• You must wear a face mask when travelling in a vehicle with a person you do not live with
• You must wear a face mask in Greater Sydney residential building common areas.
Deputy Commissioner Metropolitan Field Operations, Malcolm Lanyon, explained that there have been various iterations of the public health orders and commended the community for being adaptable to the changes to requirements.
“The mask wearing requirements have evolved over time to match the changing settings as the Government has responded to the escalating COVID-19 Delta variant case numbers,” Deputy Commissioner Lanyon said.
“Clearly the rules now state that people need to abide by the mask wearing requirements of the Public Health Orders unless they have an exemption. That exemption can be in the form of either a medical certificate or people are able to carry a statutory declaration.”
“If police ask to see the exemption people are required to present that documentation, and we will investigate all exemptions.
“Make no mistake, police are investigators by trade. If we have any reasonable doubt that a document may be false, we can and will investigate these matters thoroughly to bring people before the courts,” he said.
Anyone found guilty of making a false declaration under The Oaths Act, 1900 risks being found guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for 5 years.
Further advice about the Public Health Orders can be found at www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

More than 100,000 people in NSW have taken up fee free courses since the joint Federal-State JobTrainer initiative was first introduced in October last year.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said NSW was now leading the nation in equipping people with skills after more than half of Australia’s JobTrainer enrolments hailed from NSW.
Health and individual support, community services, construction, business administration and IT have been the most popular courses across the State.
“These strong enrolment figures show how crucial reskilling and upskilling has been during this difficult period so the people of NSW can land on their feet after the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Lee said.
“By investing in a skills-led recovery, the NSW Government is not only future-proofing jobs but ensuring people have the right skills to plug current shortages.
“We’ve already seen these free courses translate to employment for thousands of people and I want to thank and encourage the people of NSW who are using the lockdown period to upskill or reskill during the pandemic.”
Other key findings:

• 97% of people enrolled in a course achieved their main goal for training with the most common motivation being to get a job or progress their career.
• Highest number of enrolments (28%) were from those aged 17-24 years.
• 94.5% of people said they achieved at least one work related benefit from the training such as improved employability, expanding skills and growing or starting their business.

NSW JobTrainer courses are available for young people, job seekers and school leavers to gain vocational skills in Australia’s growing industries.
For more information and to enrol in a JobTrainer course, visit: https://bit.ly/3wWI3pz

Statement from the NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller regarding the deployment of ADF personnel.

The NSW Police Force is significantly expanding its COVID-19 welfare and compliance activities in Sydney over the coming days and I have requested 300 ADF personnel to boost our operational footprint.
What this means is police officers will be assisted by ADF personnel as they deliver food parcels, conduct welfare door-knocks and go through compliance checks of stay-at-home and self-isolation orders.
This operation will be led and managed by the NSW Police Force.
The ADF will be present in a supporting role under the direction of the NSW Police Force.
The operation will be centred around the welfare of the community and ensuring that stay-at-home orders issued by NSW Health to specific individuals are observed.
ADF has provided essential assistance over the past 18 months – particularly during last year’s border operation, the ongoing hotel quarantine operation and the assistance provided with logistics support in the Police Operations Centre.
The ADF has also previously provided assistance in response to bushfires and floods.
The NSW Police Force will continue to work with the community to ensure the well-being and safety of everyone in NSW.

More than 700 people who were sleeping rough across NSW have been helped into temporary accommodation during the lockdown to keep them safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Alister Henskens said the NSW Government has committed $22.3 million for temporary accommodation to support people sleeping rough during the latest outbreak.
“We’re ramping up assertive outreach patrols across Greater Sydney to engage with people sleeping rough and offer them temporary accommodation,” Mr Henskens said.
“While providing immediate shelter during the lockdown is important, our focus is always to provide a pathway to secure, long-term housing.
“We will be working closely with people who come into temporary accommodation to find them a home, engage them with services and support and help them stay off the streets for good.”
The recently announced expansion of Together Home will support more permanent housing solutions for people currently in temporary accommodation.
Since Together Home was established last year, more than 460 people who were sleeping rough have been helped into housing, after spending time in temporary accommodation.
Together Home involves securing homes from the private rental market and delivers intensive tailored supports to meet the complex needs of the people in the program.
The NSW Government has also committed an additional $10 million for rent assistance packages to help victims of domestic violence and young people secure or maintain housing in the private rental market.
Anyone who is homeless or at risk of homelessness can call Link2home on 1800 152 152. Staff are available 24-7 to provide information and referrals to services, including temporary accommodation.

Enhanced police powers and tighter new rules will spearhead the enforcement response launched against the few people who refuse to do the right thing during a global pandemic.
A new high-visibility policing operation has been launched to assist the state’s health strategy to tackle the further spread of the COVID-19 Delta strain.
Thousands of police officers will be deployed across Greater Sydney from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Police Transport Command and general duties to enforce the following new rules as well as protect the wider community from the selfish and unauthorised behaviour of a small number of individuals.

• New powers have been granted to the NSW Police Commissioner to shut down businesses, construction sites and public premises where there is a risk to public health; and
• The penalty for not wearing a mask where required will be increased from $200 to $500.

From 12.01am on Friday, 30 July 2021, residents of the eight Local Government Areas of concern (Blacktown, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool and Parramatta) will be subject to new exercise, mask and shopping rules. These rules will only be applied to any LGA that is determined to be of concern now and into the future:

• Exercise, outdoor recreation and singles bubble visits must be done within 5kms of the person’s home;
• Individuals cannot travel more than 5kms from home for shopping, unless the goods or services are not readily available in that area; and
• Masks must be worn at all times outside the home regardless of proximity to others.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the new restrictions follow a call from the vast majority in the community who are doing the right thing by complying with the Public Health Orders.
“The time for warnings is over. I know 99 per cent of the population are furious with the minority who continue to disregard the health orders and put the safety and livelihoods of families at risk,” Mr Elliott said.
“Crime Stoppers received more than 15,000 calls and reports providing information following last weekend’s illegal protest. Police made it clear from the start, they want to educate – not fine – members of the community but the 15,000 calls to Crime Stoppers is a clear message to the Government that the community expects action.
“If we all work together, these new rules have the potential to stop the spread of the virus and save lives.”
NSW Police Commissioner Michael Fuller APM said police will significantly ramp up compliance activities with officers performing an extra 1000 shifts throughout the next week.
“These officers will be out in force across the Greater Sydney footprint conducting high-visibility proactive patrols and compliance checks, and responding to all Crime Stoppers reports,” Commissioner Fuller said.
“The stronger powers and police presence are about getting us out of lockdown sooner.”
For the latest information visit www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19.
To report individuals or businesses in contravention of a public health order visit http://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au