Category: NSW News

A number of COVID-19 restrictions across NSW will be eased as the State continues to move forward in a COVID-Safe way.
From 12.01am Monday, 29 March, the following will apply:

• No caps on weddings and funerals;
• No restrictions on singing including in places of worship;
• No restriction on dancing including at weddings and in pubs and nightclubs;
• No cap on visitors in the home (if there are more than 100 people there must be a COVID-19 Safety plan and electronic recording of visitor details);
• 200 people allowed for personal outdoor public gatherings;
• All venues to move to the one person per 2sqm rule (venues will be allowed at least 25 people before the 2sqm rule applies);
• 100 per cent seated capacity at entertainment venues including stadiums and theatres, and;
• Mask use including on public transport will move from ‘mandatory’ to ‘strongly recommended’.

 
Businesses and other organisations must continue to ensure they keep accurate records of all attendances, including through QR Codes, to enable fast contact tracing in the event of any community transmission.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the easing of restrictions is a significant step forward as NSW continues its COVID-19 recovery.
“With no community transmission and our quarantine and frontline workers now receiving their second vaccinations, the timing is right to further ease restrictions across the State,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“As we do this, it is important we don’t let our guard down and continue to check in at venues, keep our social distance and get tested if we have even the mildest of symptoms.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the further lifting of restrictions would help support businesses and jobs across the state.
“Today we take another big stride in the right direction, easing restrictions is important in helping businesses return to normal, it’s like a jab of confidence for the economy,” Mr Perrottet said.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the further easing of restrictions was possible due to the support and sacrifices of the people of NSW.
“The initial focus of our vaccination program on frontline quarantine, border and healthcare workers has also given us greater confidence as it reduces the risk of COVID being introduced into the community from an overseas source,” Mr Hazzard said.
Dr Chant said it is critical everyone continues to practise COVID-safe behaviours, including using QR codes, staying home if unwell and getting tested.
“I also urge everyone to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible and able to do so. It will not only protect you, your family and loved ones, but will keep the whole community safe,” Dr Chant said.
For the latest information and COVID-19 testing sites please visit:
www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

A slice of Western Sydney’s rich history will be sensitively restored and adapted to support jobs of the future with the plan to create a Startup Hub in the historic Parramatta North Heritage Core being approved.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the Sydney Central City Planning Panel’s approval of the Western Sydney Startup Hub proposal was a significant milestone for the project.
“We can activate part of this prized heritage precinct in a way that will not only respect and conserve its past but ensure its viable future as the heart of startup business and innovation in Western Sydney,” Mr Ayres said.
The approval will allow for three heritage buildings, which form part of the circa 1876 Hospital Spinal Range Building and circa 1892 Kitchen Block, to be adapted to create unique spaces for emerging entrepreneurs and local community use.
These spaces include 1,500sqm of affordable co-working space, a café, and a shared event space. Sensitive upgrades to the surrounding public area will also be undertaken.
“The Government is putting innovation at the centre of its COVID-19 Recovery Plan and the Western Sydney Startup Hub will have a key role in giving emerging businesses the opportunity to be involved in that recovery,” Mr Ayres said.
“We are giving them the space to turn their ideas into commercial realities that will lead to more investment and jobs in the region.
“We will employ best-practice conservation methods to sensitively reinstate the national heritage-listed buildings for their future use.”
Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said this is going to be a transformational project for Parramatta.
“We cannot wait to start welcoming startups, scaleups, businesses and the local community to the Western Sydney Startup Hub by the end of this year. It will be a transformative place and puts the Central City on the startup and innovation ecosystem map.”
The project complements the broader Westmead Health and Innovation District, including the recently announced Innovation Quarter development, which will deliver over 1,000 jobs and 28,000sqm of health, research, education, and commercial space.

Teachers, parents and the broader community are being asked to help shape the new English and Maths syllabuses for Kindergarten to Year 2.
The release of the new curriculum for feedback is the first major milestone in the NSW Government’s ambitious curriculum reform, which will see a renewed focus on the core subjects of English, Maths and Science.
The new syllabus will start to rollout next year.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the new evidence-based curriculum would deliver on the government’s goals of decluttering and raising standards to equip students for the jobs of the future.
“The new curriculum prioritises the basics and will ensure students develop strong foundations in Maths and English,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Thank you to the 45 expert Kindergarten to Year 2 teachers who have already met with the NSW Education Standards Authority to review and provide feedback on the new curriculum content.
“The curriculum is more explicit in the direction of what Kindergarten to Year 2 students need to be taught and does not leave room for interpretation.
“We are now calling on all NSW teachers, parents and the broader community to provide their feedback on the draft Kindergarten to Year 2 curriculum.”
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said literacy and numeracy skills are critical to unlocking young people’s potential while at school, improving their academic outcomes and enhancing their life choices.
“The evidence speaks for itself, and we need all teachers following the evidence, teaching essential knowledge in evidence-based sequences,” Ms Mitchell said.
“We have prioritised essential content and provided clear examples to teachers to reduce ambiguity.
“Teachers are the drivers of student outcomes. By reducing the clutter and confusion for teachers, it allows them to focus on their students.
“Our approach to these reforms is evidence-driven and focused on student success. The feedback we have had from teachers so far is very positive and confirms we are moving in the right direction.”
Visit the NESA website to read the consultation materials and have your say: educationstandards.nsw.edu.au
Public consultation closes on 30 April 2021.

More operating theatres, patient rooms and world-class services, including two new Emergency Departments, are all part of Westmead Hospital’s new 14-storey clinical tower officially unveiled today.
Staff and services began relocating to the new hospital building in February, with both the adult and children’s Emergency Departments now open to the public.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the Central Acute Services Building is the centrepiece of the more than $1 billion Westmead Health Precinct.
“This new state-of-the-art health facility will serve Western Sydney’s health needs for generations to come, with world-class research and education capacity embedded on every floor,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The Westmead Health Precinct was fast-tracked under the NSW Government’s COVID-19 response and will include a range of integrated adult and children’s health services for the first time, including separate emergency departments.”
Mr Hazzard said the collaboration between Westmead Hospital, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and the University of Sydney will mean patients receive cutting edge treatment and care.
“Westmead is a shining example of how to attract leading health staff and researchers to provide the very best healthcare to Western Sydney residents,” Mr Hazzard said.
Member for Parramatta, Geoff Lee, said: “Western Sydney is expected to have a population of about 1.3 million people by 2031 so this is great news for the local community.”
Member for Seven Hills Mark Taylor said: “The Westmead Hospital Upgrade is terrific for the local community. Further refurbishments are on track to be completed in 2022, delivering even more world-class healthcare facilities for Western Sydney residents.”
Key features of the new Central Acute Services Building include:

• Two new emergency departments — one for adults and one for children;
• 25 digital operating theatres;
• More than 300 patient rooms; and

• 1.5 floors for the University of Sydney to further integrate education, research and health services.

In March 2019, the NSW Government announced an additional $619 million for Stage 2 of The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. This includes a new Paediatric Services Building and car parking.

The NSW Government has issued a total of 34 Natural Disaster Declarations over the last 48 hours to ensure immediate support reaches communities across the State affected by the floods and storms.
Disaster declarations have been issued for the following Local Government Areas in collaboration with the Commonwealth: Armidale, Bellingen, Blue Mountains, Camden, Campbelltown, Canterbury Bankstown, Central Coast, Cessnock City, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour City, Cumberland, Dungog, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Hornsby, Inner West, Kempsey, Ku-ring-gai, Lake Macquarie, Liverpool, Maitland City, Mid-Coast, Nambucca Valley, Newcastle City, Northern Beaches, Parramatta, Penrith, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Port Stephens, Sutherland, Tenterfield Blacktown, The Hills and Wollondilly.
The assistance now available is one of a series of funding packages that will be triggered by the Government as the impacts of the floods are assessed:

• help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged;

• support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring

damaged essential public assets;

• concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations;
• freight subsidies for primary producers, and
• grants to eligible non-profit organisations.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said although the disaster is still underway, the NSW Government is already looking ahead to the recovery and ongoing assistance.
NSW is experiencing the most significant storm and flood event that we have seen in decades, with widespread destruction affecting countless communities,” Mr Elliott said.
“We have worked quickly to declare disasters in 34 Local Government Areas. This assistance activates practical and immediate supports for communities, primary producers, small businesses, not-for-profits and councils.”
“We will stand side by side with our communities over coming weeks and months as we work through the significant recovery that lays ahead of us.”
For information call Disaster Customer Care Service on 13 77 88 or visit www.service.nsw.gov.au/

A new $1500 rebate scheme designed to help tens of thousands of small businesses pay for NSW and local government fees and charges, such as licences, council rates, and registration fees will open early next month.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the Small Business Fees and Charges Rebate, which was announced in November’s Budget, would provide support for eligible small businesses, sole traders and non-profit organisations.
“It’s important that we support businesses to recover from the impact of the COVID pandemic and encourage business growth by reducing the cost of running a business,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The NSW Government has committed close to $500 million for the new scheme, which shows our commitment to small businesses which are the life-blood of the NSW economy, supporting more than 1 million jobs.”
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said businesses would be able to access the scheme through Service NSW.
“In the same vein as other support programs delivered by Service NSW during the pandemic, we want to ensure the application and redemption process is as seamless and intuitive as possible,” Mr Dominello said.
“We want small businesses to be spending as much time as possible serving customers and the minimum possible time dealing with government bureaucracy.”
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said a small pilot program would start this month before it rolled out state-wide.
“Many licence fee waivers are about to expire and I encourage small businesses below the new 2020-21 payroll tax threshold of $1.2 million to apply for this new rebate scheme,” Mr Tudehope said.
“This will help hundreds more businesses, along with entrepreneur and family businesses across the state, ensuring they have more money in their pockets as NSW continues its post-pandemic recovery.
“We want to make it easy to run a business and when we support small businesses, we support the recovery and jobs.”
Under the scheme, small businesses, sole traders and non-profit organisations can apply to be reimbursed up to $1500 for NSW and local government fees and charges that are related to the cost of doing business. These include:

• Food authority licences
• Liquor licences
• Tradesperson licences
• Event fees
• Council rates
• Business vehicle registration fees

The scheme cannot be used for fees and charges specifically excluded under policy guidelines, such as fines and penalties, and will only be available for those charges and fees that are due and paid after 1 March 2021.
It will be available via Service NSW in early April and will run until 30 June 2022. The scheme will allow eligible small businesses to draw down on a $1500 credit to offset the cost of eligible NSW and local government fees and charges. More information, including the program guidelines, are available at www.service.nsw.gov.au/small-business-fees-and-charges-rebate

The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) at Homebush has been activated following severe wet weather and flooding throughout New South Wales.
The SEOC is a central hub, based at Rural Fire Service Headquarters, where experts can monitor the situation in real time and coordinate a whole of government response to flood relief efforts.
The SEOC will be in operation to support the State Emergency Services (SES) as they lead the emergency response to this significant weather event. The team will access live information, intelligence sharing, digital mapping, as well as public information and media broadcasting resources to quickly get critical information to the public.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott, reinforced the importance of flood-threatened communities working with emergency services and observing any directions they are given.
“We don’t want to see people going into flood-affected areas and then finding themselves in difficulty. It not only puts their own lives at risk but the lives of the emergency service workers and rescuers also,” Minister Elliott said.
“It’s about making smart decisions and following the advice of experts.
“That way, our responders can concentrate their efforts on helping people in most need during this extraordinary and significant weather event.”
State Emergency Operations Controller, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys APM, has appealed to flood-affected communities to observe flood warnings and evacuation orders as police work closely with the SES and other emergency service agencies.
“This severe weather event is impacting communities across the state. The State Emergency Operations Centre will bring agency operations together under the one roof to manage the situation in real time,” Deputy Commissioner Worboys said.
“We will be relying on the timely advice of various experts at the Bureau of Meteorology and other agencies to make critical decisions to protect life and property, particularly to support our preparedness and planning as the weather event spreads across the west and south coast NSW.”
More information can be found:

• The Public Information and Inquiry Centre (PIIC) has been activated and can be contacted 1800 227 228 for the most up to date information.
• Members of the public seeking emergency assistance during a flood or storm should call the NSW State Emergency Service on 132 500 or visit their website www.ses.nsw.gov.au.
• For all other emergencies, the public are advised to contact Triple Zero (000).
• People are urged to register for Register.Find.Reunite – an online service designed to connect friends and family following a disaster. The public can register at www.redcross.org.au
• For the latest on road closures members of the community can visit the website www.livetraffic.com or contact their local councils.

The NSW Government has issued a total of 34 Natural Disaster Declarations over the last 48 hours to ensure immediate support reaches communities across the State affected by the floods and storms.
Disaster declarations have been issued for the following Local Government Areas in collaboration with the Commonwealth: Armidale, Bellingen, Blue Mountains, Camden, Campbelltown, Canterbury Bankstown, Central Coast, Cessnock City, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour City, Cumberland, Dungog, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Hornsby, Inner West, Kempsey, Ku-ring-gai, Lake Macquarie, Liverpool, Maitland City, Mid-Coast, Nambucca Valley, Newcastle City, Northern Beaches, Parramatta, Penrith, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Port Stephens, Sutherland, Tenterfield Blacktown, The Hills and Wollondilly.
The assistance now available is one of a series of funding packages that will be triggered by the Government as the impacts of the floods are assessed:

• help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged;

• support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring

damaged essential public assets;

• concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations;
• freight subsidies for primary producers, and
• grants to eligible non-profit organisations.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said although the disaster is still underway, the NSW Government is already looking ahead to the recovery and ongoing assistance.
NSW is experiencing the most significant storm and flood event that we have seen in decades, with widespread destruction affecting countless communities,” Mr Elliott said.
“We have worked quickly to declare disasters in 34 Local Government Areas. This assistance activates practical and immediate supports for communities, primary producers, small businesses, not-for-profits and councils.”
“We will stand side by side with our communities over coming weeks and months as we work through the significant recovery that lays ahead of us.”
For information call Disaster Customer Care Service on 13 77 88 or visit www.service.nsw.gov.au/

WORLD-CLASS STANDARD FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING

• The NSW Government will embark on a new reform as part of accepting and implementing all five recommendations from the Gonski-Shergold Review of the NSW Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector.
• The NSW Government has committed to:

1. Establishing Careers NSW
2. Establishing a new form of tertiary education known as NSW Institute of Applied Technology (IAT)
3. Advocating for VET student loans, similar to the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS), to be established. Work will continue with the Federal Government on the scheme
4. Improving the quality of vocational education made available in high schools
5. Consulting with industry experts on VET course curriculums.

• The full Review into the VET sector can be accessed here: https://education.nsw.gov.au/about-us/strategies-and-reports/our-reports-and-reviews/review-on-the-nsw-vocational-education-and-training-sector.

DINE & DISCOVER NSW GOES LIVE STATEWIDE

• Millions of customers will be able to take advantage of the State Government’s much anticipated Dine & Discover NSW program, thanks to the program going live state wide.
• NSW residents will be able to easily apply online to receive their vouchers through the latest version of the Service NSW app and website, and a non-digital solution will be made available to customers who don’t have a smartphone or compatible device.
• Every NSW resident aged 18 and over will be eligible for four $25 vouchers worth $100 in total, to spend in participating businesses.
• Dine & Discover NSW vouchers will be divided into two categories:
  1. Two $25 vouchers to be used for eating in at restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs and clubs 7 days a week, excluding public holidays.
  2. Two $25 vouchers to be used for entertainment and recreation, including cultural institutions, live music, and arts venues, available 7 days a week, excluding public holidays.
• Businesses can register to participate in the program at any time and vouchers are valid until 30 June 2021.
• For more information on Dine & Discover NSW, visit www.nsw.gov.au.

NEW CITY AT AEROTROPOLIS TO BE NAMED ‘BRADFIELD’

• The NSW Government plans to call Sydney’s new ‘hi-tech’ city at Bringelly ‘Bradfield’, in honour of the engineer who helped shape Sydney.
• The city centre will be built on the doorstep of the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport. It will grow into Sydney’s third city, to take its place alongside the other great city centres of Sydney and Parramatta.
• Bradfield was selected after the community was asked to have a say, with a panel settling on the final decision to honour John Bradfield’s enduring city-shaping impact on Sydney, including his major contribution the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
• The name Bradfield was a popular community suggestion in the ‘Name the Place’ process and will now be put to the Geographical Names Board of NSW.

SYRIAN PRIEST AWARDED TOP HONOURS BY NSW PREMIER

• Syrian Australian priest, Father Fadi Nemme, who has dedicated his life to serving Arabic speaking communities, has been awarded top honours at the 2021 Premier’s Harmony Dinner.
• This annual event is a celebration of the diverse cultures, languages and religions of all citizens in NSW. A highlight of the evening is the awarding of the Premier’s Multicultural Community Medals that recognise outstanding achievements.
• For more information about the Premier’s Multicultural Community Medals and Multicultural Honour Roll see: http://multicultural.nsw.gov.au.

NEW WORLD CLASS CHECK-IN ASSESSMENTS FOR YEAR 4, 6 AND 8

• Following the success of the initial Check-In assessments for years 3, 5, and 9, the NSW Government is delivering new assessments for years 4, 6, and 8, which will roll out next term.
• The take up has been extraordinary, with more than 90 per cent of primary schools opting in for the new year 4 and 6 assessments and almost 70 per cent of secondary schools running the year 8 check-in.
• In 2021 more than 350,000 students are expected to undertake the Check-in Assessments, which were first introduced in 2020 following NAPLAN’s cancellation due to COVID-19.
• Students in Year 4, 6 and 8 will undertake the online check-in during Term 2, while the year 3, 5 and 9 assessments will be scheduled for Term 4.

SCHOOLS ENCOURAGED TO APPLY NOW FOR CROSSING SUPERVISORS

• Schools across NSW are encouraged to apply now for a crossing supervisor with the latest round of the NSW Government’s $18.5 million program closing soon.
• Thousands of students are now safer when making their way to and from school every day after the first two years of the program provided 275 new crossing supervisor locations across NSW.
• To find out more about the program or to apply for a school crossing supervisor visit, https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/schools/schoolcrossingsupervisorprogram.html.

AUSTRALIA’S TOUGHEST SET OF ANIMAL CRUELTY PENALTIES PASSES THROUGH PARLIAMENT

• The NSW Government will soon enshrine the country’s toughest suite of animal cruelty penalties into law, after the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act Amendment Bill 2021 has passed through the Legislative Council.
• Key changes to animal cruelty penalties include:
  1. Cruelty – increased from $5,500 fine (current) to $44,000 and/or 12 months’ imprisonment for individuals and $220,000 for corporations for each individual act of cruelty;
  2. Aggravated Cruelty –  increased from $22,000 fine (current) to $110,000 and/or 2 years’ imprisonment for individuals and $550,000 for corporations for each individual act; and,
  3. Fail to Provide Food & Shelter – Increased from $5,500 fine (current) to $16,500 and/or six months’ imprisonment for individuals and $82,500 for corporations for each individual act.
• The new penalties modernise our legislation and brings it into line with community expectations.

TRADIES WITHOUT BORDERS

• The NSW Government is slashing red tape and removing barriers for tradies to work across state and territory borders, delivering a major boost for jobs and the economy.
• The Government has introduced legislation to enable a new national Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) scheme to take effect from 1 July 2021, as agreed by National Cabinet, making it simpler and easier for tradies and other licensed professionals to carry out their work in multiple states and territories.
• The changes have the potential to inject more than $2.4 billion into the national economy over 10 years and are a huge step forward in slashing burdensome registration rules and licensing fees.
• AMR will apply until the end of the duration of a valid registration held in the home jurisdiction. A registered person will need to apply for a new home state registration should their home state change.

GREEN LIGHTS FOR SYDNEY METRO WEST

• The Sydney Metro West project has received two major planning approvals, creating thousands of jobs and paving the way for mega tunnel boring machines to be in the ground by the end of next year.
• Planning approval has been granted for the Sydney Metro West Project Concept, from Westmead to the Sydney CBD, as well as station excavation and tunnelling between Westmead and The Bays.
• Sydney Metro West will create more than 10,000 direct jobs and around 70,000 indirect jobs, while delivering a vital boost to the local economy.
• Construction started on the Sydney Metro West project in late 2020, with tens of billions of dollars being invested by the NSW Government to deliver a new Metro network across Greater Sydney.

The first electric bus built in NSW is now on trial as the Government charges towards electrifying the State’s bus fleet.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said he was proud of the Western Sydney workforce which produced the State’s first zero emissions bus.
“It’s so exciting to know this bus, which was assembled entirely in Western Sydney, is now at the trial stage.
“Until now we’ve seen the conversion of diesel buses to electric, and buses built overseas, but this is the first fully fledged Australian made bus in the State.
“It has started running between Bondi Beach and Bronte and what is even more exciting for commuters is that it’s fare free for them to jump on board and give it a go,” Mr Constance said.
“The State’s first trial of a locally built electric bus takes us closer to an emissions free future and supports hundreds of local jobs, which is an amazing outcome for NSW.”
50 new electric buses are planned to roll out across Sydney this year. The State’s 8,000-strong fleet currently operate on diesel fuel and compressed natural gas.
Member for Vaucluse Gabrielle Upton said the two-week zero emissions bus trial in the Eastern Suburbs is another win for the environment.
“Our Government is getting closer to securing a cleaner, healthier future for the people of NSW and it’s very exciting that the first of these locally-made electrics buses are being trialed in my electorate,” Ms Upton said.
“Charging infrastructure will be installed soon at the Waverley Bus Depot, which will help future bus operators in the Eastern Suburbs plug into the electric revolution.”
Designed, manufactured and assembled by Custom Denning in St Marys, the Element e-bus can run for approximately 16 hours on a full charge or 450 kilometres.
Custom Denning Managing Director Scott Dunn said he is grateful his company is in a position to play a part in creating a more sustainable bus industry.
“The NSW Government has supported our business since I purchased it three years ago, now we can help them build a better future for both commuters and the environment,” Mr Dunn said.
“Being able to rebuild the business from our St Marys factory has allowed us to employ more than 200 locals and keep skilled manufacturing jobs in Australia.”
Customers who catch the electric bus during the trial are encouraged to use QR codes onboard to complete a COVID-safe check-in.