Category: NSW News

The people of NSW will have close to 300 new paramedics to call on in the coming weeks following a graduation ceremony held at Sydney Olympic Park today.

Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the additional graduates are a welcome boost to the NSW Ambulance workforce, which has been doing an incredible job on the frontline throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Across the health system, we’ve seen our health workers go above and beyond during the pandemic and our wonderful NSW Ambulance paramedics are among those leading the charge,” Mrs Taylor said.

“These vital reinforcements come at a crucial time and the entire State will benefit from the surge.”

Speaking at the NSW Ambulance Paramedic graduation ceremony at Sydney Olympic Park today, Mrs Taylor congratulated the 153 new paramedic interns graduating today, with a further 80 paramedic interns beginning four weeks of intensive induction next week, and 58 already on the road.

“It is really wonderful that many of our paramedic interns were able to join today’s graduation ceremony virtually from locations across regional NSW.

“Importantly, 63 paramedics of today’s 153 graduates will be starting their new roles in rural and regional areas, including the Blue Mountains and the Central Coast.”

NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan welcomed this newest group of interns and congratulated them on achieving this milestone after completing three years at University.

“I’m incredibly proud of what our clinicians, emergency medical call takers and dispatchers have done to serve the community in what has been the busiest period in our history. What they have achieved and continue to do so is nothing short of remarkable,” Dr Morgan said.

The NSW Government has made record investments in NSW Ambulance recruiting 750 paramedics and control centre staff in the last four years as part of the State Wide Enhancement Program (SWEP).

The NSW Government has invested more than $9 billion in NSW Ambulance since 2011 including $1.4 billion in the 2021-22 budget. This includes $214 million for a new State Operations Centre at Sydney Olympic Park.

The NSW Government is taking a staged and flexible approach to the easing of restrictions as the State continues to take a measured response to managing COVID-19.
 
From the beginning of Friday, 18 February 2022, the following adjustments will be made to the current settings:

• No density limits (previously one person per 2sqm for hospitality venues);
• QR check-ins will only be required for nightclubs, and for all music festivals with more than 1,000 people. Hospitals, aged and disability facilities may use their existing systems for recording visitors;
• Singing and dancing will be permitted at all venues, except music festivals, where singing and dancing can recommence from 25 February;
• The recommendation to work from home will change and be returned to the employer’s discretion.

 From the beginning of Friday, 25 February 2022, the following adjustments will be made to the settings:

• Masks will only be mandated on public transport, planes, and indoors at airports, hospitals, aged and disability care facilities, corrections facilities and indoor music festivals with more than 1,000 people;
• Masks are encouraged for indoor settings where you cannot maintain a safe distance from others and for customer facing retail staff to protect vulnerable people who must access these premises and services;
• Each State Government agency will review where it may be appropriate for public-facing staff to wear masks and will implement as necessary; and
• The 20,000 person cap on music festivals will be removed, with singing and dancing permitted. Vaccination requirements will remain for indoor music festivals over 1,000 people, with attendees required to have at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Hotel quarantine for unvaccinated returning travellers will be reduced from 14 to 7 days from 21 February.
 
With hospitalisation and ICU rates easing and booster uptake now above 50 per cent a staged return of non-urgent elective surgery across all NSW public hospitals has commenced and will be increased through February to March.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government is continuing to adopt a flexible and measured approach to protect the community and our health system.
 
“We don’t want restrictions in place for any longer than necessary and with hospitalisation and ICU rates trending downwards now is the right time to make sensible changes,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“As we continue to move forward out of the pandemic we are ensuring that we keep people safe and people in jobs so life can return to normal as quickly and safely as possible.”
 
“Our frontline health staff have done an incredible job protecting the community and we need everyone to step up and do the right thing and get their booster shots to help keep themselves, their family and the community safe.”
 
Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the NSW Government has worked hard to strike the right balance between re-opening the State and keeping everyone safe.
 
”Regional communities have already welcomed back visitors with open arms, and these further freedoms are a big win for everyone who has done the right thing to get us this far,” Mr Toole said.
 
“This measured response will reinvigorate our regional communities, with country shows, festivals and other major events able to return bigger than ever.”
 
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said we needed everyone to play their part as we dealt with the challenges the pandemic would continue to throw at us.
 
“As we are moving more into the endemic stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, these changes are giving us more of our old life back but it still makes a lot of sense for us all to be cautious,” Mr Hazzard said.
 
“The best outcome is still to avoid getting the virus by protecting yourself, your family and the broader community.”
 
People aged 16 years and older can receive their booster dose at three months after receiving their second dose of any of the COVID-19 vaccines. You can book your COVID-19 vaccine or your booster shot, via www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/vaccination/get-vaccinated.
 
More information is available at nsw.gov.au.

Small businesses that experienced a downturn over summer can now apply for a NSW Government support payment of up to $5,000 per week through Service NSW.

Treasurer Matt Kean said the Small Business Support Program will provide cashflow assistance to help businesses get through the current COVID-19 outbreak and keep workers employed.

“Over the summer, Omicron meant many people chose to stay at home, which hit many small businesses hard especially in the hospitality and tourism sectors,” Mr Kean said.

“Our Small Business Support Program is about making sure businesses that are viable over the medium and long term get through Omicron in good shape so we can bounce back better as case numbers fall.

“Small business is the engine of the NSW economy and this targeted program is designed to keep that engine going through this temporary economic shock.”

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the Service NSW Business Concierge team and grant assessors are standing by ready to assist customers with applications and get financial support into the hands of business owners.

“The majority of customers submitting complete and eligible applications can expect to receive payment within five to 10 business days of approval of their application,” Mr Dominello said.

Minister for Small Business Eleni Petinos said the program was part of a suite of responses to the Omicron wave and was designed to help the businesses in greatest need.

“The program will provide targeted support to businesses with an annual turnover of between $75,000 and $50 million that experienced a decline in turnover of at least 40 per cent in January 2022 and the start of February 2022,” Ms Petinos said.

“The payment for employing businesses will cover up to 20 per cent of weekly payroll, up to a maximum of $5,000 per week. Eligible non-employing businesses, such as sole traders, will receive $500 per week.
“This program is important to assist small businesses with cash flow and to continue trading.”

Funds can be used to cover business expenses such as wages, rent, loss of perishable goods, professional services and other costs.

Applications can be made online through the Service NSW MyAccount, by visiting a local service centre or by calling 13 77 88.

For more information on the support program, please visit:
https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/2022-small-business-support-program

Commercial interest in renewable generation and storage projects representing almost 40 gigawatts and more than $100 billion of potential investment have been received in the registration of interest for the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).

Treasurer and Energy Minister Matt Kean said the overwhelming result shows that the Hunter and Central Coast will continue to be the energy powerhouse of NSW long into the future.

“These results show that energy investors see the Hunter and Central Coast as some of the best investment destinations anywhere in the country, which will translate into jobs and prosperity for the region,” Mr Kean said.

“Renewable Energy Zones are vital to ensuring the future reliability and affordability of electricity in NSW as traditional coal fired power stations close down over the coming decades.”
Commercial interest has been registered in:

• 24 solar energy projects
• 13 onshore and seven offshore wind energy projects
• 35 large-scale batteries and
• eight pumped hydro projects.

Together, these projects have the potential to deliver more than 100,000 gigawatt hours of renewable energy a year – equivalent to the annual output of up to 10 coal fired power stations.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said that the results of the registration of interest showed that the region is set to reap the jobs and investment rewards from the transformation of the energy system.   

“The REZ will not only attract investment in clean energy, it will also underpin the growth of new low carbon industries such as green hydrogen, ammonia and metals production which the world is going to need as it decarbonises,” Mr Crouch said.

Member for Upper Hunter, Dave Layzell, said the renewable energy zone provide a boost to the region and set up the state to be an economic and energy superpower.

“The Hunter-Central Coast region is the perfect location for a new REZ as it has good renewable energy resources, access to transmission, transport and port infrastructure, and most importantly, a highly skilled workforce,” Mr Layzell said.

The response to the Hunter-Central Coast REZ continues the huge market interest in the Renewable Energy Zones that are being developed across NSW, following earlier processes in the Central West Orana, New England and South West regions which have attracted a combined 95 gigawatts of interest.
 
The Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo) is in the early stages of planning the Hunter-Central Coast REZ and will be using this information to inform the timing, capacity and boundaries of the Hunter-Central Coast REZ.
 
EnergyCo will be engaging closely with industry, local government, local communities and other stakeholders as it progresses the design and delivery of the REZ.
 
It is expected that the Hunter-Central Coast REZ will be formally declared under the NSW Government’s Electricity Roadmap legislation by mid-2022.
 
More information can be found  HERE

Netball NSW is delighted to announce the 12 athletes who have been selected for the 2022 NSW 19U Team which will contest the National Netball Championships in Hobart in April.

The team includes five Suncorp Super Netball Training Partners with Sophie Fawns and Audrey Little from the NSW Swifts selected and GIANTS Charli Fidler, Erin O’Brien and Mille Roach making the cut too. 

“To be given a Training Partner contract indicates a readiness to step into Super Netball and to have five State Team athletes in that position is a testament to the strength of the QBE Swifts and GIANTS Netball Academies, Netball NSW Performance programs and the Origin Energy Premier League competition,” Margaret Hamley, General Manager of Performance & Pathways at Netball NSW, said.

As well as the Training Partners the team also includes a number of athletes from the QBE Swifts and GIANTS Netball Academies. 

Jamie Podmore Taylor, Ella Johnson (GIANTS Academy) and Kiara Bloor and Charlotte Smith (QBE Swifts Academy) have all had previous NSW State Team campaign experience yet, due to the COVID-enforced cancellations of the 2020 and 2021 Nationals, are yet to experience a National Netball Championship.

Samantha Bondietti (QBE Swifts Academy) has progressed through the ACT pathway and is welcomed to NSW as she embarks on a new chapter at university.

For Lucy Matthews (GIANTS Academy) and Erin Bloor, 2022 will be their first State Team campaign. Both athletes are exceptional role models who have demonstrated tenacity and resilience to strive to  achieve their goals.

“Netball NSW is proud of the 12 athletes selected in the 2022 19U State Team and wishes them the best of luck for the campaign ahead,” Hamley added.

Around 300,000 households across the State have taken advantage of the NSW Government’s new voucher program Parents NSW, offering $250 in vouchers as a thank you for their efforts to support learning from home in 2021.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said since its launch on 7 February, there have been more than 1.5 million vouchers issued to NSW families, totaling more than $75 million dollars in parents’ pockets.

“The State-wide uptake in just seven days is staggering,” Mr Perrottet said.

“More than 118,424 households applied for vouchers in the first 24 hours, the most successful start to a voucher program we have had to date.

“But as well as helping cut the cost of living for families, businesses are also getting a much-needed boost. In one week, parents have redeemed 12,500 vouchers spending around $970,000 in Stay NSW and Discover NSW registered businesses Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the numbers pointed to the importance of targeted support delivered through the Service NSW app.

“This is Australian-first digital technology putting money straight into the pockets of parents,” Mr Dominello said.

“From those hundreds of thousands of customers who have already applied, the transaction has received 97 per cent thumbs up.

“If anyone is having any trouble with their application please contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 who can help with understanding the eligibility criteria and applying.”

The Parents NSW program provides each eligible household with at least one school-enrolled child where home learning took place in 2021 with five $50 vouchers which can be redeemed at Discover NSW and Stay NSW registered businesses.

It’s not too late for tourism, recreation and accommodation businesses to register. Parents NSW vouchers are valid until 9 October, 2022. For more information and details on how to apply, visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/parents-nsw-vouchers

The NSW Government is supporting the creation of local manufacturing jobs in Western Sydney with a $70 million investment to transition the state’s bus fleet to zero emissions technology.
 
Western Sydney based company Custom Denning has been awarded a contract to design, manufacture and assembly 79 new electric buses.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Transport and Veterans David Elliott toured the St Mary’s factory this morning to inspect the production line and meet workers.
 
“This is a true Western Sydney success story and our Government is proud to have played a part in this business producing the first locally-built electric bus,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“Custom Denning employs 160 workers at their St Mary’s factory and this investment will now provide more jobs to ensure our buses are built to the highest standard.
 
“Our Government is getting closer to securing a cleaner, healthier future for the people of NSW and at the same time this electric bus transition will generate hundreds of local manufacturing jobs, which is an amazing outcome for our state.” 
 
Minister for Transport and Veterans David Elliott said the $70 million investment takes the number of bus orders placed with Custom Denning past 100, which will help drive a post pandemic jobs recovery and a boost for local manufacturing.
 
“The NSW Government’s commitment to transition the entire 8,000-plus bus fleet is supercharging jobs and manufacturing in Western Sydney,” Mr Elliott said.
 
“Bus customers are already experiencing the benefits of electric buses from Penrith to Bondi, and we will continue to back local manufacturing.
 
“I’m committed to exploring opportunities to secure more local manufacturing, component supply and workforce skills development to boost our economy.”
 
Once built, the 79 buses will operate services in Sydney’s inner west. Transport for NSW, in collaboration with its contracted bus operators, have ordered 101 electric buses from Custom Denning.

The NSW Government has announced nearly $5 million in grant funding to support Aboriginal families and communities staying safe and connected to critical services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Franklin said directly investing in Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) is making a real difference to communities, many of them in remote and regional locations.

“We know that COVID has had a significant impact on our Aboriginal communities across the state,” Mr Franklin said.

“Providing funding to Aboriginal communities and ACCOs is vital to ensuring everyone across the State has access to essential services to keep them physically and socially well, while also remaining connected to the places and people most important to them.”

Mr Franklin said today the COVID-19 Aboriginal Community Response Grants Program is being extended for another three months until April 29, 2022.

Funding of between $1,000 and $10,000 will be available to ACCOs across NSW to support social, emotional and physical wellbeing, as well as responding to immediate needs in Aboriginal communities.

To date this program has funded 176 projects totaling $1.5 million to provide local responses to Aboriginal people impacted by COVID-19, particularly vulnerable community members including Elders, young people, and those with underlying chronic health conditions.

In a second program, the $3.4 million COVID-19 Aboriginal Community Partnership Support Program is supporting 19 Aboriginal organisations.

Selected Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations in NSW were invited to apply for grants of between $50,000 and $250,000 in recognition of their significant role in supporting their member organisations across the state and to continue delivering community outreach services across NSW.

Mr Franklin said grant recipients were members of the NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations (CAPO), NSW Stolen Generation organisations and local decision-making alliances (LDM).

BlaQ Aboriginal Corporation was funded $246,170 to provide support and connections to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQ+ people across NSW.

First Peoples Disability Network (FPDN) received $250,000 funding to provide advocacy and accessible multi-media communications to Aboriginal people with a disability as well as their families.

La Perouse Aboriginal Community Alliance received $228,600 to establish a COVID Working Group to identity areas of need across their community as well as providing increased support for mental health.

“COVID-19 continues to impact Aboriginal people and the response of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) during the past two years has been significant. These grants will build on this by enabling local community organisations to continue and grow their important work,” Mr Franklin said.

The NSW Govermnent’s tour of a Western Sydney bus manufacturer does not make up for its complete neglect of local manufacturing jobs for the past decade.

The Premier and Transport Minister today toured Custom Denning to announce a contract to assemble 79 new electric buses – less than one per cent of the State’s bus fleet.

However, the announcement pales in comparison to the billions of dollars in jobs and investment that have been sent offshore over the past decade.

A recent Unions NSW and The McKell Institute report Build it Here found the Government forewent 4,192 direct and indirect jobs and more than $484 million in payroll and income tax collections through its decision to offshore NSW Government’s transport contracts.

These include:

The new intercity rail fleet made in South Korea,

The light rail made in France and Spain,

New Sydney Ferries made in China and Indonesia; and,

38 B-Line buses built in Germany and assembled in Malaysia.

Unions NSW Secretary Mark Morey said photo ops were a poor substitute for a decade of of sending jobs offshore.

“The Premier thinks one photo opportunity will make up for a decade of neglecting local manufacturing jobs and industry. It won’t.

“Today Mr Perrottet has announced he intends to build assemble 79 buses here in Sydney, one per cent of the fleet. If he was fair dinkum he would commit to build all of the State’s 8000 buses in NSW as and when the current fleet need replacing.

“That would give workers and businesses confidence to plan and invest.

“When governments spend money in their local economy it has a powerful multiplier effect. Those workers spend in their local communities and pay tax to state and federal governments.

“Local manufacturers better understand local conditions and are more accountable. They are less likely to construct trams that don’t fit on the tracks or ferries that can’t fit under a bridge.

“It’s nice to see Mr Perrottet cotton on to the concerns we have been raising, but so far we are seeing more spin than substance.

McKell Institute executive director Michael Buckland said full accounting for the economic benefits of local production was critical.

“Governments must consider the wider economic benefits of local construction when they sign significant procurement contracts,” Mr Buckland said.

“A fuller perspective of the jobs, economic activity and tax revenue generated through local purchasing would see many more projects built in Australia.

The Build It Here report recommended :

The cost increases observed in overseas procurements should be investigated to determine whether inefficiencies resulting from offshore contract sourcing are consistent, and how they may be mitigated via local production.

The NSW Government should establish an international sourcing comparator based on the public sector comparator to promote transparency in significant procurement decisions. The international sourcing comparator should be published alongside contract award notices.

Government agencies should publish wider economic benefits as part of a holistic cost-benefit analysis when making decisions about major procurement contracts that exceed $1 billion.

Building homes and supporting jobs in the construction, retail and hospitality sectors are at the centre of the latest tranche of regulatory relief helping NSW business get to the other side of the Omicron outbreak.
 
Changes to planning rules will allow for an extension of emergency construction hours, as well as making it easier for businesses to get much needed supplies and extending temporary measures that let pubs and restaurants continue to use carparks and bowling greens.
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said the measures were aimed at supporting some of the sectors hardest hit by the pandemic and designed to keep the economic wheels turning during the Omicron wave of the pandemic.
 
“We know that some retailers have struggled to get supplies and that impacts what people see on the shelves,” Mr Kean said.
 
“We are changing the rules to make it easier for businesses to get those critical supplies – 24 hours a day in business and industrial areas.
 
“We’ve already changed the rules to let diners onto the footpaths and public spaces and now we’re extending measures to let pubs and restaurants use privately owned car parks and open space until 30 June.”
 
These new rule changes helping NSW businesses include:

• The extension of emergency construction hours (up until 31 March 2022) allowing construction sites to operate on weekends without the need for prior planning approval;
• Changes to planning rules allowing 24-hour deliveries in industrial and business zones
• The extension of measures allowing pubs and restaurants use privately owned open space and car parks for hospitality (up until 30 June 2022)

 
Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said it’s vitally important we support the construction industry and the 340,000 jobs it supports.
 
“Construction continues to play a crucial role in our state by contributing around $47 billion each year to the economy, and supporting communities by, keeping people in jobs delivering new homes and community facilities,” he said.
 
“These changes will help us keep shovels in the ground to deliver new homes, jobs and great public spaces and keep the economy moving.”
 
No construction work will be allowed on public holidays and only quiet works can take place on Sundays. The extension of construction hours will be in place until 31 March 2022.
 
For more information visit www.planning.nsw.gov.au