Category: NSW News

A $50 accommodation voucher will be available from today as part of the NSW Government’s $250 million Stay NSW program.
 
Applications for the vouchers will be made available by Local Government Area in a staggered approach. Every community will have access to them by 3 March.
 
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the voucher initiative is a commitment to bolster the accommodation industry while getting people excited to travel in NSW.
 
“This is a win-win for NSW – the vouchers will give hard hit businesses much needed stimulus, while also encouraging residents to explore our great State,” Mr Dominello said.
 
“The Stay NSW program has been expanded and fast-tracked, so people can enjoy a staycation sooner. Whether it’s a quiet country inn, the family-run caravan park or a hotel in the Sydney CBD, every budget needs a boost this year.”
 
Mr Dominello said the state-wide rollout follows a successful pilot in the Sydney CBD.
 
“Applying is fast and simple via the Service NSW mobile app, through the Service NSW website or by calling 13 77 88 for assistance,” Mr Dominello said.
 
“People can pool the $50 Stay NSW Vouchers with relatives or mates, with no redemption limit. Apply as soon as you can so you can check-in somewhere special and check-out somewhere new.”
 
There are more than 1,200 Stay NSW businesses registered across the State but it is not too late for accommodation premises to get on board. Stay NSW Vouchers are valid until 9 October, 2022.
 
Participating businesses will be able to redeem vouchers seven days a week, including public holidays. Customers will be able to search for places to stay on the easy-to-use business finder.
 
For more information, including details on eligibility plus how and when to apply, visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/stay-nsw

The NSW Government has welcomed the first wave of international visitors following today’s reopening of national borders.
 
Around 5000 passengers across 27 flights will pass through Sydney International Airport today, arriving from USA, Japan, Singapore, Canada, New Zealand and Fiji.
 
Amid celebrations at Sydney International Airport, where arrivals were greeted with music and imagery from the Destination NSW Feel New tourism campaign, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the return of overseas visitors would boost tourism, investment and trade.
 
“Millions of people around the world dream of visiting Sydney and our regional areas, it’s great to see the planes return and their dreams coming true,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“We are investing more than $530 million into the sector as part of our tourism and events recovery package. This ensures visitors get to experience the very best of what NSW has to offer.”
 
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Minister for Tourism and Sport and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the timing could not be better for international visitors to return to NSW and be reinvigorated.
 
“NSW is the best place in the world to visit, study, invest and do business and late summer and early autumn is the perfect time to experience the unique outdoor and cultural lifestyle Sydney and NSW are famous for,” Mr Ayres said.
 
“We have an incredible calendar of world-class events lined up from Australian premieres of hit productions, to World Cup qualifiers and our internationally-renowned Vivid Sydney, on top of remarkable natural wonders that extend from spectacular coastlines, over breathtaking mountain ranges to stunning outback regions.
 
“For us to reach our ambition to be the premier visitor economy in the Asia Pacific, we need airlines to fly in and for locals and visitors to embrace our world class venues and hospitality, which is why we are investing $60 million to incentivise international airlines to re-commence flights to Sydney through our Aviation Attraction Fund.
 
“This all about showcasing NSW’s diverse and compelling destinations and experiences and I am delighted our tourism and hospitality operators are now able to extend the warm welcome they have been waiting to offer our overseas friends after two difficult years.”
 
Prior to COVID-19, NSW’s visitor economy was the largest in Australia, contributing $38 billion and supporting over 100,000 businesses and nearly 300,000 jobs.
 
All foreign visitors to Australia are required to provide proof that they are double-vaccinated with an approved COVID-19 vaccine.
 
Unvaccinated travellers are still required to apply for a travel exemption to come to Australia and undergo hotel quarantine for seven days if they are granted permission to enter the country.

COVID Smart settings in NSW schools have been revised, giving students the first taste of normal school life since the pandemic began two years ago.
 
Core COVID Smart measures will remain in place, including enhanced cleaning and maximising natural and mechanical ventilation in line with health advice.
 
From Monday 28 February:

• Cohorting requirements and activity restrictions will be relaxed – enabling students to engage and interact more freely across classes and year groups.
• Schools will be able to welcome more visitors onto school grounds, including parents, and will resume activities such as assemblies and school camps.
• Mask requirements will be lifted for high school students and staff.

From Monday, 7 March:

• Mask requirements will be lifted for primary school and early education staff.

 
Staff in Schools for Specific Purposes will continue to be required to wear masks based on health advice. 
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the relaxation of some measures while keeping others in place was a sensible approach that gives students, staff and parents more freedoms to enjoy school life while keeping the school community safe.
 
“It is time to afford our students and parents more normality. Everyone wants to get back to the school activities and events we all love,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“The return to school and the start of term has been a success, COVID transmission has reduced throughout the community, and while there will still be cases and bumps in schools it is time for our students to enjoy normal school life.”
 
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said this was the first time since the pandemic started two years ago that students have enjoyed this level of normality.
 
“We know transmission in schools is extremely low, and not a single school has closed since school returned despite the levels of community transmission,” Ms Mitchell said.
 
“Relaxing cohorting and restrictions on visitors will let more parents engage with their child’s school and allow students to participate in cross-year group activities, which is welcome news for both students and parents everywhere.
 
“The return to school, and now the return to school life, is successful because of the tremendous efforts and teamwork from all parents, staff and students. I thank all of our school communities for their support.”
 
COVID Smart settings will continue to be reviewed and updated, as necessary on health advice.

By popular demand, an additional 5,000 fee-free Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) courses are now up for grabs to help people get jobs in the hospitality industry.
 
Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens and Minister for Hospitality Kevin Anderson said thousands of people had taken up the opportunity to gain the free qualification courtesy of NSW Government funding, since it rolled out two weeks ago.
 
“These RSA courses have been more popular than happy hour at your local pub or club, and now we’re shouting a second round to help thousands more people get jobs,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“Whether you are a school-leaver or looking for a career change, now is the perfect time to gain your free qualification to enter the dynamic hospitality industry.”
 
The RSA courses are available through TAFE NSW and other registered training organisations, which will be delivered either online or face-to-face in less than a day.
 
People who have previously worked in the industry are also being encouraged to return to the sector. Anyone whose RSA competency card has expired within the past two years, or will expire before 30 June can complete a free online refresher course.
 
“The hospitality sector supports more than 300,000 jobs across NSW and it’s fantastic that so many people have already taken up the free RSA courses,” Mr Anderson said.
 
“We know staff shortages have been impacting the hospitality sector and that is why we have extended the free RSA courses to get people behind the bar, to serve the drinks and collect money for the till.”
 
Clubs NSW CEO Josh Landis said the shortage of workers has been a huge challenge for NSW clubs and welcomes the extension of the free RSA courses.
 
“We hope this initiative will encourage more people to consider a career in hospitality, which offers incredible opportunities for professional growth and development,” Mr Landis said.
 
For more information visit, https://skills.education.nsw.gov.au/rsa.

Local councils across West and South-West Sydney will be eligible for up to $400 million in funding as part of the first wave of the $5 billion WestInvest program.
 
Residents will also be invited to put forward ideas for community enhancing projects ahead of the WestInvest program launch at the end of March, as part of a “Have Your Say” campaign.
 
The new $5 billion WestInvest program is made possible by the Government’s successful WestConnex asset recycling strategy, which will help fund and deliver transformational projects that will enhance communities and help create jobs throughout West and South-West Sydney.
 
A total of $2 billion will be reserved for high priority community projects with an initial $400 million directly allocated to 15 Western Sydney Local Government Areas to advance shovel-ready local projects.
 
The initial Local Government tranche will deliver immediate community benefit, with each local council eligible for between $20 million and $35 million, depending on population size.
 
The remaining $1.6 billion of the $2 billion community project fund will be allocated through a competitive round of grants open to non-government organisations, including community groups, not for profits, Local Aboriginal Land Councils and local councils.
 
The $2 billion community project fund, including the Local Government tranche, is set to launch before the end of March for eight weeks, with successful projects expected to be determined by September. 
 
The NSW Government will be consulting with local councils and other key stakeholders on the draft guidelines over the coming weeks to ensure WestInvest delivers the greatest community benefit.
 
A further $3 billion will be made available to NSW Government agencies to deliver transformational projects that are ready to go and will benefit local communities. The community is being invited to put forward ideas to help ensure the best projects are funded through the “Have Your Say” campaign.
WestInvest funding will be provided to build new and improved facilities that will deliver community benefit and help turbocharge economic recovery across six areas:
 

• Parks, urban spaces and green space;
• Enhancing community infrastructure such as local sporting grounds;
• Modernising local schools;
• Creating and enhancing arts and cultural facilities;
• Revitalising high-streets;
• Clearing local traffic.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the landmark program would have the twin benefits of delivering new infrastructure and supporting jobs in one of the youngest, fastest growing and most diverse regions in the nation.

“West and South-West Sydney are already incredible places to live, and this program will secure a brighter future for families and residents by helping build new and improved facilities,” Mr Perrottet said.

“We want people to love living locally, and this investment will deliver improved facilities, more open spaces, convenient services and stimulate the economy.

“This unprecedented boost will capitalise on the major investments we have made in critical projects, such as Metro West and Western Sydney Aerotropolis, to transform Western Sydney.”

Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the area was emerging strongly from the pandemic and WestInvest would help take the pivotal region to a new level.

“Western Sydney is one of the most diverse and dynamic economic centres in the world and WestInvest will support the region’s growth to make residents’ lives here truly exceptional,” Mr Ayres said.

“Our communities here are a rich mix, with a huge cross-section of cultures and people from all walks of life, and the programs funded through WestInvest will reflect and enhance that diversity.

“The pandemic made it clear where we need to do more to improve liveability in our communities and deliver better local facilities and I am excited to see work already underway to turn WestInvest ideas into reality.”

Treasurer Matt Kean said the WestInvest program would be rolled out as rapidly as possible to ensure West and South-West Sydney communities could see benefits quickly. 

“This is a well-thought out, planned and transparent investment program that will move quickly to ensure the people of West and South-West Sydney see real change, really soon,” Mr Kean said.

“This is about funding transformational projects that everyone will benefit from every day – it’s about revitalised high streets, improved parks, new sporting fields, more pools, better local traffic flow and active transport links and much more.”

Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman said the Government is strongly supporting locally-led solutions to improve LGAs and communities.

“This major investment by the NSW Government will bring together our local councils and their communities to develop and improve targeted and significant local infrastructure projects,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

“I encourage everyone in the LGAs to submit suggestions. We want to support our rich and diverse communities in West and South-West Sydney in ways they want and need.”

The 15 Local Government Areas eligible for support through WestInvest are:

1. Blacktown	6. Canterbury-Bankstown	11. Liverpool
2. Blue Mountains	7. Cumberland	12. Parramatta
3. Burwood	8. Fairfield	13. Penrith
4. Camden	9. Hawkesbury	14. Strathfield
5. Campbelltown	10. The Hills	15. Wollondilly

The $5 billion Westinvest Fund is broken down as follows:

• $3 billion for NSW Government agencies to deliver transformational projects;
• $2 billion for high priority community projects;
  • $1.6 billion allocated to community groups, non-government organisations and local councils;
  • $400m allocated directly to the 15 local councils.

 
The allocation of all $5 billion will be informed by the community “Have Your Say” process.
 
For more information visit nsw.gov.au/westinvest

More than $700 million in container refunds have now been earned by NSW residents through Return and Earn as the State reaches the 7 billion drink container mark.

Environment Minister James Griffin said Return and Earn has well and truly become part of life in New South Wales with 78 per cent of adults having participated and two-thirds of participants doing so once a month or more.

“Return and Earn is a triumph because it hits that sweet spot of improving our environment and delivering direct economic wins to the community,” Mr Griffin said.

“Along the way, the Return and Earn network has achieved a 52 per cent reduction in the volume of drink container litter in NSW and delivered more than 625,000 tonnes in materials recycled.”

“Not only is it having a measurable environmental impact with two in every three containers supplied in NSW redeemed through the scheme for recycling, Return and Earn has also become a stalwart of community fundraising activities in NSW.

“More than $30 million has already been raised for charities such as PCYC NSW, the Starlight Foundation and community groups via donations and fees since the scheme started.

“It’s encouraging that thousands of schools, community groups, charities and sporting clubs are making Return and Earn the new ‘sausage sizzle’, helping raise much needed funds for their own projects and causes.

“Return and Earn is an inspiring example of how small changes to our routine can have a significant collective impact.”

Return and Earn is a partnership between the NSW Government, scheme coordinator Exchange for Change and network operator TOMRA Cleanaway. Launched in December 2017 it has become the state’s largest litter initiative.

More information on Return and Earn is available at www.returnandearn.org.au.

The following statement is attributable to Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) National Secretary Mark Diamond:

The NSW Government has withdrawn its legal action against rail workers, and Sydney train services will slowly return over the coming days.

It is now clear that the decision to shut down the Sydney train network had nothing to do with rail workers. It is up to the NSW Government to explain how and why that decision was made.

For the past two days, Sydney Trains workers have copped abuse from stranded commuters on platforms and on social media because people wrongly believed the cancellation of rail services was due to a union strike.

That belief was fuelled by false statements made on 2GB and repeated at a nationally-televised media conference by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Scott Morrison lied about a non-existent strike to score cheap political points. That lie compounded the anxiety and stress being felt by millions of people in Sydney.

Strikes are a legitimate industrial tool for workers, but we never take strike action lightly. To be accused of taking strike action, when our members were doing no such thing, was utterly bizarre.

If Scott Morrison has any decency whatsoever, he will apologise to Sydney Trains workers for his brazen lie. I am happy to take Mr Morrison for a tour of Sydney Trains depots so that he can deliver his apology in person.

The Electrical Trades Union has condemned the NSW Government and Premier Perrottet for shutting down Sydney’s train network causing chaos across the city.

ETU NSW Secretary, Allen Hicks said the Premier and Government must bear full responsibility for the commuter inconvenience.  

“Rather than sit down and negotiate in good faith, the Premier and the Government have decided to cancel train services, wreaking chaos across the Sydney transport system,” Mr Hicks said.

“The Premier is directly responsible for this aggressive, unilateral and unnecessary shut down by Sydney Trains.” 

The ETU has more than 1,000 members at Sydney Trains who have been taking industrial action for four months. Every ETU member is at work today continuing to provide essential maintenance and safety services.

Sydney Trains is currently demanding that workers take a cut to real pay while sacrificing major conditions.

The company has offered just 2% per annum pay increases compared to official inflation in calendar year 2021 which was 3.5%.

The State Government Wages Cap is 2.5% but rail workers have been offered just 2%, along with the 0.5% superannuation increase which the Government is legally required to pay. This means workers are being asked to fund their own superannuation increase. 

Sydney Trains has also attacked ETU member conditions, seeking to force them to work every weekend along with increased night shifts.

ETU members have firmly rejected these proposed changes which would destroy work life balance. Despite this, the ETU has been careful to avoid inconveniencing the public and has ensured the network operates safely at all times.

Mr Hicks said the Premier had the power to end the chaos now and must do so. 

“We call on Premier Perrottet to act immediately to resolve this dispute and get the trains running. He must put commuters first and personally sit down with ETU and Combined Rail Union leaders to resolve this dispute,” Mr Hicks said.

“The ETU remains open to a fair and reasonable EBA offer that meets our members’ key demands: a fair pay rise, job security, no loss of conditions and an end to privatisation.”

Budding agronomists, livestock managers and farmers will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a two-year employment program to get a head start in the agriculture industry.
 
Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said the Agricultural Pathways Program targets recent school leavers to join the managing teams of the Department of Primary Industries’ 13,000-hectare research station portfolio.
 
“Ag provides incredible career opportunities and a fantastic way of life, and we are looking forward to the next generation stepping into this space,” Mr Saunders said.
 
“From precision agriculture to drone technology and finding innovative solutions for tomorrow, there has never been a more exciting time to be in the industry.
 
“The best way to secure our agriculture workforce for tomorrow is to invest in the next generation today.”
 
Successful applicants will take on the role of Farm Assistant, with key accountabilities including general crop, pasture, animal and farm operations, horticultural activities, livestock handling, tractor and farm equipment maintenance and general farm upkeep.
 
The program adds to the NSW Government’s approach to supporting the future agriculture workforce of NSW, with education and skill-based programs that start in primary and secondary school, through to tertiary and post-tertiary education levels, including Indigenous Pathway opportunities and the dedicated educational institution Tocal College.
 
Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said it is important for the NSW Government to continue thinking outside the box when it comes to vocational education and training.
 
“We want to provide more opportunities for young people to get the skills they need for the jobs they want, and this program is another great example of that,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“By giving school leavers a foot-in-the-door, they can learn on the job and build industry connections, which in turn helps employers identify talent for ongoing roles within the sector.”
 
Minister for Regional Youth Ben Franklin said the program will play a key role in promoting agricultural careers in the regions for young people across the state.
                       
“Not only does the Agricultural Pathways program offer employment and training to young people, it also encourages them to stay local instead of having to travel to a city for further education, work, or training, which is a fantastic result,” Mr Franklin said.
 
Applications are open for the NSW Government’s Agricultural Pathways Program. For more information visit https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/who-we-are/career-opportunities