Category: NSW News

The new Sydney Metro station at Barangaroo is taking shape 30 metres underground, as a major new contract is awarded to build the station and its entrance next to Nawi Cove.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance met with workers at Barangaroo today, taking a first look at where the station box has been excavated and the crossover cavern where trains can switch tracks has been carved out.
“The excavation stage is complete after an incredible two years of work to remove about 650,000 tonnes of dirt and rock, enough to fill almost 100 Olympic swimming pools. The result is fantastic, and now we’re ready to build the station itself,” Mr Constance said.
“When the station opens as part of the Sydney Metro City & Southwest in 2024, customers will benefit from fast travel times to Barangaroo of about 44 minutes from Rouse Hill, 26 minutes from Belmore, 24 minutes from Epping and just three minutes from Victoria Cross Station.
“The station will transform access to the Walsh Bay Arts and Cultural precinct, as well as providing easy access to nearby residential, commercial and entertainment areas and the ferry hub, while taking pressure off Wynyard and Martin Place stations.”
The fit out will create 300 jobs at the peak of construction. Across the Sydney Metro City & Southwest, more than 5,000 people are currently working on the project; about 50,000 will have worked on the project by the time it is complete.
The $217 million contract has been awarded to BESIX Watpac and includes the station fit out, building a station entrance next to Nawi Cove and upgrading Hickson Road, including improvements to pedestrian and cyclist safety, lifts and escalators to the platforms.
At Nawi Cove and along Hickson Road, there will be new footpaths, trees, lighting, bike parking and street furniture, as well as a new separated cycle link.
Construction of the station fit out will start in October 2021. Due to the massive scale of the Sydney Metro project, final individual contract values may vary.

NEW INVESTMENT ARM TO ACCELERATE NSW ECONOMY AND JOBS

• The NSW Government will aggressively target international and local businesses through a new body – Investment NSW – designed to attract billions of dollars into the state and drive the economy to recovery.
• Investment NSW will take advantage of NSW’s successful handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and our position as a safe place to do business.
• The new body reflects the Government’s central focus on jobs, skills and investment, which forms part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan.
• It will also incorporate a new section, R&D NSW, following the launch of the NSW R&D Action Plan in January to boost the future pipeline of ideas and companies.
• Investment NSW will partner with key areas of the NSW Government to ensure the best possible investment outcomes for NSW.

NSW CHIEF HEALTH OFFICER AWARDED THE HIGHEST HONOUR IN THE 2021 WOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS

• NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant has been named NSW Premier’s Woman of the Year, the highest honour in the NSW Women of the Year Awards held in Sydney today.
• Dr Chant is a role model, especially for women, and has absolutely excelled in her chosen field to affect lasting change.
• The NSW Women of the Year Awards are a highlight of Women’s Week and congratulated all winners in 2021.
• For more information or biographies for winners and finalists, please visit www.women.nsw.gov.au.

NSW GOVERNMENT DELIVERS KOALA SEPP 2021

• Koala SEPP 2019 will be remade across NSW as Koala SEPP 2021. Core rural zones in rural areas will be decoupled from the SEPP as new codes that protect koala habitat under the Local Land Services Act are developed over the next month.
• This will vastly reduce red tape by removing the dual consent requirements facing farmers and foresters while immediately introducing enhanced protection for koala habitat in areas where more than 95 per cent of development activity occurs.
• A number of measures will be introduced to ensure that Koala habitat is protected, whilst limiting unnecessary regulation on rural land use.

CELEBRATING NSW WOMEN’S WEEK 2021

• Financial independence, more opportunities for rural and regional women and entrepreneurship are among the topics promoting gender equality during NSW Women’s Week, under the theme #ChooseToChallenge.
• Events during NSW Women’s Week include an intergenerational forum tackling work-family balance, an entrepreneurship panel on championing change and a networking event for rural and regional women.
• The $100,000 Women’s Week Grants also enable 27 organisations to host programs – many regionally – including a cultural craft group, university tax clinic and mountain bike club.
• The NSW Government is committed to supporting women’s economic opportunity and advancement; health and wellbeing; and participation and empowerment.
• For more information, visit https://www.women.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/nsw-womens-week.

TIME RIPE TO PLANT MORE TREES IN GREATER SYDNEY

• Sydney is becoming greener with 500,000 trees planted, edging closer to the Premier’s Priority of planting one million trees by 2022 .
• The 500,000^th tree was planted at Bungarribee Park, where the NSW Government announced the latest $10 million round of the Greening our City grant program for Sydney’s councils to plant trees.
• The program advances the Premier’s Priority of Greening Our City, announced in June 2019, to increase tree canopy and green cover by planting one million trees in Greater Sydney by 2022. The priority is part of the Five Million Trees Program, which aims to plant five million trees in Greater Sydney by 2030.
• Greater Sydney councils can submit grant applications until 14 April. The grant program is being administered by Local Government NSW on behalf of the Department. Successful applicants will be notified in May.
• Program details, and previous recipients, are available at: www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/premiers-priorities/greening-our-city/greening-our-city-grants.

NSW DAIRY INDUSTRY ONCE AGAIN CREAM OF THE CROP BACKED BY NEW $16 MILLION PLAN

• After a series of challenging seasons, the State’s world-class dairy industry has begun to navigate its way out of the impacts of drought and bushfires, with new figures from the NSW Government revealing an up-to three-fold increase in profitability for farmers.
• To further secure the promising upswing, NSW and Australian Government’s are providing a $6 million grant from the Stage One Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund – Sector Development Grants.
• The funding will contribute to a project total of $16 million, with significant co-contributions from Dairy Australia, the University of Sydney, the private sector, NSW dairy industry organisations and the broader national dairy industry.

MORE PEOPLE IN HOMES, FEWER ON THE STREET

• The number of people sleeping rough across the state has reduced by 14 per cent in the last year thanks to the NSW Government’s strong focus on empowering people to break the cycle of homelessness.
• The second annual state-wide street count of rough sleepers had recorded 1,131 people compared to 1,314 people last year.
• More than 150 local organisations partnered with the NSW Government to complete street counts in more than 280 towns and suburbs in 70 local government areas.
• The annual street count will provide NSW Government with valuable data as it pursues the Premier’s Priority of halving street sleeping across the state by 2025.
• More information about the 2021 street count results are available online.

ANOTHER SYDNEY METRO MILESTONE REACHED

• The NSW Government has approved a landmark building above the future Pitt Street Sydney Metro station in another milestone for Australia’s largest public transport project.
• The 39-storey Pitt Street North commercial office tower will be integrated with the station to creating a connected hub of offices, shops and world-class public transport.
• This approval means up to 620 construction jobs and 4,000 operational jobs once the building is complete which is great news for NSW as we continue to recover from the pandemic.

CHANGES TO ENCOURAGE MORE WOMEN TO RUN FOR COUNCIL

• The NSW Government is set to scrap a number of outdated meeting practice policies as part of a plan to increase diversity including female representation in local government.
• Under new proposed changes councillors with carer and work responsibilities will be permitted to attend council meetings virtually as well as have carer costs covered.
• A consultation paper on the use of remote meetings has been released to assist councils and other interested organisations and individuals to make submissions by June 11.
• More information can be found on the Office of Local Government website website here.

Councils across NSW will share $7 million in NSW Government funding to construct and upgrade play spaces that ensure inclusivity, with half the money being awarded to regional projects.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said regional NSW councils will benefit from over $3.65 million in funding for 15 new projects and six upgraded play spaces in round three of the Everyone Can Play grants program.
“This is a wonderful program and in this round we focused on communities affected by the recent devastating bushfires and drought,” Mr Stokes said.
“As a result, more than 60 per cent of successful applicants are from regional NSW. “Great public spaces are essential infrastructure for any city or town, particularly in communities that have experienced recent hardship and heartache.
“These inclusive play spaces will be focal points for rebuilding these communities as well as public spaces where people of all ages and ability can come and play.”
A summary of this round of grants for new play spaces includes:
· Walgett and Eurobodalla shire councils each receiving $511,000 for demonstration projects as their communities were impacted significantly by drought or bushfire;
· Bayside Council receiving $500,000 for renewed and expanded play spaces at Depena Reserve and Todd Reserve;
· Bega Council receiving $300,000 for a new Eden Play and Skate Precinct;
· City of Newcastle council receiving $300,000 for a new inclusive play space on the foreshore;
· Lake Macquarie City Council receiving $290,000 for a sensory and inclusive play space at Rathmines Park;
· Cumberland City Council receiving $300,000 for a multi-generational play space at Civic park; and
· The Hills Shire Council receiving more than $276,631 for a new accessible play space at Equinox Drive Reserve.
The 37 successful projects in the third round follows 71 play space projects already funded with $8 million worth of grants. The Everyone Can Play program was established in 2018 as part of the $290 million Open Spaces and Greener Sydney package. The NSW Government has committed $20 million over five years to creating inclusive play spaces.
A full list of recipients is available at: www.planning.nsw.gov.au/EveryoneCanPlay. For more information, go to www.everyonecanplay.nsw.gov.au

NSW Police has been advised that a security guard attached to the quarantine operation has tested positive for COVID-19.
We are working with NSW Health to ensure all close contacts are tested for COVID-19, monitored, and remain in isolation.
Since the quarantine operation commenced on Sunday 29 March 2020, more than 136,000 people have completed the mandatory 14-day quarantine period in Sydney hotels.
To date, more than 255,000 police and security shifts have been worked in the quarantine operation.
The quarantine program is a complex, coordinated and integrated program that aims to minimise the risk of introduction of COVID-19 from people arriving in NSW from overseas.
NSW Police continue to review and monitor processes in quarantine and provides extensive support to ensure all infection control is in place and adhered to.
Investigations are underway by NSW Health to determine the source of this infection. As part of these inquiries, NSW Police will assist Health investigators by reviewing CCTV, conducting interviews and analysing rosters.
We remain committed to working hard to use every mechanism possible to protect the community and ensure their ongoing safety from COVID-19.

The Sydney Startup Hub is celebrating NSW Women’s Week with three events this week and a new Tech Ready Women program to help increase the number of female founder startups.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said it’s great to see the Sydney Startup Hub, which this week celebrates its third anniversary, encouraging female entrepreneurship.
“It’s well documented that female entrepreneurs are under-represented in the startup ecosystem, with female founders being represented in about 22 per cent of Australia’s startups,” Mr Ayres said.
“We want NSW to continue to lead the way in innovation and by providing training for female founders, we will be boosting the opportunities open to them on their entrepreneurship journey, creating jobs and investment in NSW.”
Following today’s third anniversary celebration, three events will take place at the Sydney Startup Hub this week:

• A Supercharging Support for Female Founders fireside chat – with Christie Whitehill, Founder of Tech Ready Women, and Jared Kendler, Executive Director Entrepreneurship & Innovation Ecosystems at NSW Treasury – Wednesday, 10 March at 12.30pm.
• Looking Forward: Female Entrepreneurship in 2021 – a panel discussion with four female entrepreneurs – CEO and founder of Vitae Shelley Laslett, CEO  and founder Birth Beat Edwina Sharrock, co-founder of Huddle Childcare Millie Zinner and CEO and co-founder of Like Family Jenna Leo, Wednesday, 10 March at 5.30pm.
• Sydney Startup Hub Female Founder Showcase – hear from eight talented female founders located at the hub, followed by demos and networking, at Fishburners on Thursday, 11 March at 5.30pm.

The Hub’s new eight-week Tech Ready Women program is designed to support employment opportunities for women in new and emerging technologies.
With two cohorts, starting in April and June, the pre-accelerator program will provide 100 women with practical, startup, leadership, and technology skills, support from mentors and access to startup networks to develop their idea.
The program will be free for 50 participants from disadvantaged backgrounds and partly subsidised for the remainder.
Mr Ayres said the Sydney Startup Hub continues to create valuable opportunities for NSW startups to develop and network.
“Since the Sydney Startup Hub was established in early 2018, there’s been $300 million in combined investment raised by startups within the four anchor tenants and more than 1,000 jobs generated by startups within the Hub,” Mr Ayres said.
“The Hub has hosted close to 100,000 visitors to the communal and events spaces and held 770 events.”
Humanico co-founder Fiona Vale, who is speaking at the Female Founder Showcase, said it’s full steam ahead for her startup after they recently received a NSW Government grant.
“2020 was a foundational year for Humanico and making the decision to move to Stone & Chalk within the Sydney Startup Hub in July changed our trajectory coming out of lock down,” MRS Vale said.
“We’re currently closing out our first round of investment and it includes a key investor from within the Stone & Chalk community that we would not have otherwise met if we hadn’t moved here.”
For more information about the Sydney Startup Hub events go to sydneystartuphub.eventbrite.com
For more on the Tech Ready Women program go to techreadywomen.academy/femalefoundersprogram

The $68.7 million Bowral & District Hospital Stage 1 redevelopment featuring a new emergency department and state-of-the-art operating theatres has marked a new era in the hospital’s 130-year history.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Member for Wollondilly Nathaniel Smith officially opened the new Clinical Services Building, which has had more than 3,800 emergency presentations, 120 babies born and over 530 surgeries since opening in December.
“The new hospital building is a wonderful asset to the people of the Southern Highlands, which is rightly getting its share of the NSW Government’s record $10.7 billion infrastructure boom,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The Stage 1 redevelopment has also delivered new, purpose-built adult and paediatric inpatient wards with their own ensuites, new rehabilitation spaces with a gymnasium, a dedicated geriatric ward and a new maternity unit and birthing suites.”
Member for Wollondilly Nathaniel Smith said the building has beautiful views of the Southern Highlands and its design ensures rooms have plenty of natural light.
“The hospital will continue to grow with the community, providing safe and high-quality care and supporting the economy as a leading employer in the region,” Mr Smith said.
“I congratulate everyone involved in delivering the outstanding clinical services building, including the planners, clinicians, designers and builders, and look forward to the future expansion under Stage 2.’’
In March 2019, the NSW Government announced an additional $55 million for Stage 2 of the redevelopment, with planning for a second building starting soon.
The NSW Government is investing over $1.5 billion into four redevelopments across South Western Sydney Local Health District, with a further $1.3 billion commitment to commence building a new Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital within this term.
Projects include: Liverpool Hospital ($790 million), Campbelltown Hospital ($632 million) and Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital Emergency Department ($25 million), transforming the provision of healthcare across south western Sydney communities.

The NSW Government will aggressively target international and local businesses through a new body – Investment NSW – designed to attract billions of dollars into the state and drive the economy to recovery.
Investment NSW will take advantage of NSW’s successful handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and our position as a safe place to do business.
The new body reflects the Government’s central focus on jobs, skills and investment, which forms part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said as NSW moves toward the next stage of the COVID-19 recovery, Investment NSW presents a timely opportunity for businesses both internationally and domestically.
“NSW has done a fantastic job keeping the economy alive while also focusing on the health and safety of our citizens, which means our economy now presents a great opportunity for investors as we continue to rebound from this pandemic,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Investment NSW will be a ‘one-stop-shop’ for the private sector, allowing NSW to target new jobs and lure Australian and global investment, as well as tourists, to our State.”
It will also incorporate a new section, R&D NSW, following the launch of the NSW R&D Action Plan in January to boost the future pipeline of ideas and companies.
This will allow the Government to work strategically and in a coordinated way on attracting investment to the State and in creating new jobs.
“The new initiative will become an important arm for the NSW economy, focusing on growing both jobs and investment in the state,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Investment NSW will partner with key areas of the NSW Government to ensure the best possible investment outcomes for NSW.

The NSW Government has approved a landmark building above the future Pitt Street Sydney Metro station in another milestone for Australia’s largest public transport project.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the 39-storey Pitt Street North commercial office tower will be integrated with the station to creating a connected hub of offices, shops and world-class public transport.
“This approval means up to 620 construction jobs and 4,000 operational jobs once the building is complete which is great news for NSW as we continue to recover from the pandemic,” Mr Stokes said.
“The Pitt Street North development will provide nearly 55,000 square metres of commercial and retail space, creating new places for office workers, commuters, visitors and CBD residents.
“As life starts to return to normal, we want to create new and exciting places to draw people back into the CBD whilst boosting the economy at the same time.”
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said the construction of Metro stations in Sydney provides opportunities to create new hubs and precincts.
“The Sydney Metro City and South-west mega project is not only changing the city below ground, it’s transforming the city skyline,” Mr Constance said.
“We will soon have 31 stations and 66 kilometres of new metro rail moving people all the way from Rouse The NSW Government has approved a landmark building above the future Pitt Street Sydney Metro station in another milestone for Australia’s largest public transport project.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the 39-storey Pitt Street North commercial office tower will be integrated with the station to creating a connected hub of offices, shops and world-class public transport.
“This approval means up to 620 construction jobs and 4,000 operational jobs once the building is complete which is great news for NSW as we continue to recover from the pandemic,” Mr Stokes said.
“The Pitt Street North development will provide nearly 55,000 square metres of commercial and retail space, creating new places for office workers, commuters, visitors and CBD residents.
“As life starts to return to normal, we want to create new and exciting places to draw people back into the CBD whilst boosting the economy at the same time.”
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said the construction of Metro stations in Sydney provides opportunities to create new hubs and precincts.
“The Sydney Metro City and South-west mega project is not only changing the city below ground, it’s transforming the city skyline,” Mr Constance said.
“We will soon have 31 stations and 66 kilometres of new metro rail moving people all the way from Rouse Hill to Bankstown, via Sydney CBD. At the same time it’s unlocking the city’s potential on the global scale and opening up new opportunities.” to Bankstown, via Sydney CBD. At the same time it’s unlocking the city’s potential on the global scale and opening up new opportunities.”

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant has been named NSW Premier’s Woman of the Year, the highest honour in the NSW Women of the Year Awards held in Sydney today.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian congratulated Dr Chant on the accolade after winning her category, NSW Woman of Excellence Award.
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Chant has been a familiar face, offering vital health information for our State in addition to years of service to the health sector,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Dr Chant is a role model, especially for women, and has absolutely excelled in her chosen field to affect lasting change.”
Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor congratulated Dr Chant on the incredible job she has done protecting the State throughout the pandemic.
“Dr Kerry Chant is an inspiration for all women, her leadership and dedication to her job ensured NSW was kept safe. Her work has been applauded around the world,” Mrs Taylor said.
Minister Taylor said The NSW Women of the Year Awards are a highlight of Women’s week and congratulated all winners in 2021.
“These incredible women come from all walks of life but the one thing they have in common is that they are inspiring achievers for their communities,” Mrs Taylor said.
2021 Women of the Year Award winners are:

• NSW Premier’s Woman of the Year Award – Dr Kerry Chant
• Woman of Excellence Award – Dr Kerry Chant
• Regional Woman of the Year Award – Grace Brennan
• Cancer Institute NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year Award – June Riemer
• Aware Super NSW Community Hero of the Year Award – Jean Vickery
• Harvey Norman NSW Young Woman of the Year Award – Dr Samantha Wade
• The One To Watch Award – Molly Croft

For more information or biographies for winners and finalists, please visit women.nsw.gov.au

The NSW Government will aggressively target international and local businesses through a new body – Investment NSW – designed to attract billions of dollars into the state and drive the economy to recovery.
Investment NSW will take advantage of NSW’s successful handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and our position as a safe place to do business.
The new body reflects the Government’s central focus on jobs, skills and investment, which forms part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said as NSW moves toward the next stage of the COVID-19 recovery, Investment NSW presents a timely opportunity for businesses both internationally and domestically.
“NSW has done a fantastic job keeping the economy alive while also focusing on the health and safety of our citizens, which means our economy now presents a great opportunity for investors as we continue to rebound from this pandemic,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Investment NSW will be a ‘one-stop-shop’ for the private sector, allowing NSW to target new jobs and lure Australian and global investment, as well as tourists, to our State.”
It will also incorporate a new section, R&D NSW, following the launch of the NSW R&D Action Plan in January to boost the future pipeline of ideas and companies.
This will allow the Government to work strategically and in a coordinated way on attracting investment to the State and in creating new jobs.
“The new initiative will become an important arm for the NSW economy, focusing on growing both jobs and investment in the state,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Investment NSW will partner with key areas of the NSW Government to ensure the best possible investment outcomes for NSW.