Category: NSW News

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.

The Public Information and Inquiry Centre (PIIC), has been activated to support the severe weather operation.
The Public Information and Inquiry Centre can be contacted by calling 1800 227 228.
Members of the public can contact the Public Information and Inquiry Centre for information relating the severe weather and flooding. It will operate on a 24 hours basis until at least 5pm on Monday (22 March 2021).
State Emergency Operations Controller, Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys, has appealed for the public to not become complacent.
“Members of the public in the flood affected areas need to heed the warnings and advice of the NSW State Emergency Service and all emergency services.
“Our message is clear – do not put your life or that of emergency service personnel in danger.
“Floodwater is extremely dangerous as it can have fast moving undercurrents that can wash people and vehicles away.
Everyone should always remember to never drive, ride or walk through floodwater,” Deputy Commissioner Worboys said.
For the latest on road closures members of the community can visit the website www.livetraffic.com or contact their local councils.
Members of the public in flood affected areas should continue to listen to local radio stations, or check the websites listed below.
It should be noted this inquiry hotline does not replace the State Emergency Service emergency hotline.
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.

As severe weather continues to impact the NSW Coast, emergency services are continuing to urge residents to delay all non-essential travel at this time.
A coastal low is impacting the NSW coastline, particularly the Mid North Coast – with the system gradually moving south to the Hunter, Greater Sydney and Illawarra regions today and tomorrow (Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 March 2021).
Evacuation orders have been issued by the NSW State Emergency Service for low lying properties in these areas:

• Central Wingham and the Wingham Peninsular
• Taree Estate, Dumaresq Island and Cundletown
• Laurieton, North Haven, Dunbogan and Diamond Head
• Kings Point and Macksville
• Wauchope and Rawdon Island
• Bulahdelah
• Kempsey CBD
• Lower Macleay
• Port Macquarie

Detailed explanations of each evacuation order can be read on the NSW SES website: www.ses.nsw.gov.au
As a result, several evacuation centres have been set up to accommodate those impacted by floodwaters. These include:

• Wingham Golf Club, 30/32 Country Club Drive, Wingham
• Taree RSL and Golf Club, 121 Wingham Road, Taree
• The Laurieton United Services Club, 2 Seymour Street, Laurieton
• Kempsey Showground, 19 Sea Street, West Kempsey
• Port Panthers, 1 Bay Street, Port Macquarie (access via Bago Road only)
• Bulahdelah Central School, 8 Meade Street (Church Street)
• Auditorium at Macksville High School, 40 Boundary Street, Macksville (access via Park Street)
• South West Rocks Country Club, 2 Sportmans Way, South West Rocks

The Pacific Highway remains closed in both directions between Coopernook and Glenthorne, while the northbound lanes are closed at Moorland between Hannam Vale Road and Jericho Road.
The Oxley Highway between Mount Seaview and Walcha remains closed in both directions following a landslide.
Several towns on the Mid North Coast have been isolated due to floodwaters across the roads. A number of localised road closures are in place, for the latest traffic information please visit www.livetraffic.com or www.myroadinfo.com.au.
The Public Information and Inquiry Centre (PIIC), has been activated to support the severe weather operation.
The Public Information and Inquiry Centre can be contacted by calling 1800 227 228.
Members of the public can contact the Public Information and Inquiry Centre for information relating the severe weather and flooding. It will operate on a 24 hours basis until at least 5pm on Monday (22 March 2021).
Members of the public in flood affected areas should continue to listen to local radio stations, or check the websites listed below.
It should be noted this inquiry hotline does not replace the State Emergency Service emergency hotline.
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).

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.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the $500 million program follows successful testing and pilots in The Rocks, Broken Hill, Sydney CBD, Northern Beaches and Bega Valley.
“This stimulus will give businesses the boost they need after an incredibly tough 12 months, and will encourage customers to get out and about safely,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“These vouchers will help businesses keep their doors open and grow, while providing customers with much needed hip pocket relief.”
Dine & Discover NSW will be rolled out progressively across NSW, with the first two stages underway.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the program will bring much needed relief to some of the State’s hardest hit industries.
“We want businesses to grow and thrive and for workers to stay in jobs. This stimulus is exactly what NSW needs as our economy goes from strength to strength,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Whether it’s a café, restaurant, cinema or gallery, these industries have done it tough during the pandemic, and these vouchers will encourage more customers to come through the door and spend.”
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the vouchers are simple and easy to use, with customers able to spend them via the Service NSW app.
“The app is seamless, contactless and safe. We are using digital technology to make life easier for customers and businesses,” Mr Dominello said.
“Throughout the testing and pilot phases, customers spent an average of $39, which is almost double the money going straight back into the community.”
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:

• Two $25 vouchers to be used for eating in at restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs and clubs 7 days a week, excluding public holidays.
• 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.
The vouchers can only be used at eligible businesses that have implemented a COVID Safety Plan and are registered as COVID Safe.
Throughout each week, vouchers will become available in more Local Government Areas.  Customers will receive an email letting them know when it’s their turn to apply for their vouchers, or they can use a simple eligibility checker online.
The rollout schedule is available at: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/dine-discover-nsw-vouchers-local-government-areas.
For more information on Dine & Discover NSW, visit www.nsw.gov.au

Rubber gap filler technology is being trialed at Circular Quay, to improve safety and accessibility across the Sydney Trains network.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the technology is an innovative way of preventing people falling between the platform and the train.
“Circular Quay is one of the busiest stations and has one of the highest number of falls between the platform and train on the Sydney Trains network, with children and elderly customers most likely to fall and be injured,” Mr Constance said.
“Parts of the rail network are more than 165 years old and there is no one-stop-shop solution to preventing customer falls. Every platform has unique properties such as gradients, curves and varying heights, and requires a tailored, engineered approach.”
“The results of this trial will help Sydney Trains assess the suitability of using the rubber gap filler technology on other platforms similar to Circular Quay.”
Acting Chief Executive of Sydney Trains Suzanne Holden said on average, five people fall through the gap across the Sydney Trains network each week.
“We want everyone who uses our network to be safe at all times which is why we are committed to upgrading stations for improved safety and accessibility,” Ms Holden said.
“Sydney Trains’ engineers have studied the experience of other networks in Australia and overseas to adapt the rubber gap filler technology for Sydney.
“While there’s a long way to go, we are confident this technology may be a solution to improving safety and accessibility on some of our problem platforms.”
The design and manufacture of the rubber gap fillers was undertaken in Australia.
Customers are reminded to stay behind the yellow line at all times, mind the gap and station staff are available to assist with boarding if required.
The Circular Quay trial will run until the end of March.