Category: NSW News

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.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the changes had 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.
“This will make it easier and less expensive for occupational licensees and businesses to perform the same activities across state borders, increasing jobs, economic activity, competition, and innovation,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The previous system only served to discourage people from finding work and burden businesses with unnecessary regulations.
“The pandemic has thrown up many challenges for people, businesses and communities throughout NSW and this change will remove barriers so they can go where the work is instead of being buried by paperwork.”
Workers will be allowed to automatically perform the same activities covered by their occupational registration in their principal place of residence or work (home state) in another jurisdiction, without paying additional registration or renewal fees.
To aid the State’s economic recovery, the NSW Government has also introduced legislation to extend the relaxation of regulations brought in at the height of the pandemic to protect jobs and keep the economy ticking.
Some of the relaxed regulations have included:

• Allowing deliveries to retail premises to occur 24 hours a day
• More flexibility for businesses and communities to continue operating while practicing social distancing, including through the use of digital documents and audio-visual links
• Supporting communities and businesses to continue to operate or adapt through takeaway and delivery options for food and beverages

Mr Perrottet said he would lead a whole-of-government evaluation to determine which measures should remain in place permanently to support productivity and economic growth.
“We’re committed to cutting red tape and regulation to drive job creation and support businesses as we reignite our economy over the coming months,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This is also win for consumers making it easier for people to access the services they need as we all continue to adapt to life in a post-COVID world.”
“The pandemic has shown us we can do things differently and do them better. These changes gave workers and business operators in NSW the freedom to adapt and survive and as we come out of the pandemic their continuation will let them thrive.”
The AMR scheme will come into effect 1 July 2021 and follows the agreement reached at National Cabinet in December last year.
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.

The Berejiklian 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.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian thanked Mr David Gonski AC and Professor Peter Shergold AC who led the extensive review into the VET sector.
“Mr Gonski and Professor Shergold have provided the Government with new and innovative recommendations to ensure our training industry remains at the cutting edge and is relevant to a post COVID-19 economy,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The Government’s record $107 billion spend in infrastructure has created a huge demand for tradies but we also need to upskill the workforce for emerging industries like 3D printing, robotics and other technology industries.
“If we are serious about having the best skilled workforce in the world, we have to do things a bit differently.
“The exciting new model of education will see industry and universities partner with TAFE at Meadowbank and Kingswood campuses to ensure NSW is set up to take advantage of the changing workforce requirements.”
The NSW Government will use the report’s findings to advocate for the Commonwealth’s VET Student Loan scheme to be expanded to put VET study on an even financial playing field with university studies.
The IAT will be a new model of tertiary education that will fully integrate the theoretical study of university with the practical training of vocational education. Students will be able to study flexibly for example, a student can complete a Certificate IV in year one, progress to a Diploma in year two and have the option of achieving a Bachelor in Applied Technology in year three.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said the recommendations will elevate the NSW VET system to an enviable standard.
“Our VET sector has already led the way in training frontline workers who have safeguarded our economy from the effects of a global pandemic and today’s announcement will further bolster the sector to a world-class standard.”
“The report highlights the skills industry needs are evolving and our VET sector must continue to evolve and remain accessible to ensure the people of NSW continue to undertake vocational education to drive NSW forward.”
Mr David Gonski AC said the recommendations were developed with a number of stakeholders.
“Consultation was undertaken with academics, industry associations, Government and non-government school sectors and training providers to provide a holistic review of the challenges the sector is facing,” Mr Gonski said.
Professor Peter Shergold AC said the recommendations will also seek to enhance the status and improve the quality and accessibility of vocational education in high schools.
“Furthering the relevance and breadth of VET available in high schools is a significant step towards getting students interested in pursuing a vocational career,” Professor Shergold said.
Today’s announcements are in addition to the establishment of Careers NSW announced yesterday.
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.

A woman has been charged with high-range drink driving after allegedly being caught more than six times the legal limit in the Illawarra earlier today.
Shortly after 10am (Wednesday 17 March 2021), a Mazda 2 was travelling along First Avenue, South Warrawong, when it allegedly mounted the kerb and drove along the footpath, before hitting a tree.
Officers from the Southern Region Enforcement Squad attended a short time later and spoke with the driver, a 66-year-old woman.
She was subject to a roadside breath test which returned a positive result.
The woman was arrested and taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station for a breath analysis, which allegedly returned a reading of 0.306.
She was issued with a court attendance notice for high-range PCA and is due to face Kiama Local Court on Monday 3 May 2021.
Her licence was also suspended.

Students, graduates and adults looking to turbocharge their careers will have access to tailored career advice through the establishment of Careers NSW, a groundbreaking new service announced by the NSW Government today.
The bold initiative is an Australian first and will drive the NSW COVID-19 recovery by ensuring every worker and student in NSW has access to careers advice regardless of their job, experience or education.
The initiative is a key recommendation in the Review of the NSW vocational education and training sector led by Mr David Gonski AC and Professor Peter Shergold AC, which will be released shortly.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Careers NSW will allow our workforce to change and evolve following the threats of the pandemic, leaving no one behind.
“NSW is the driver of innovation, research and development in Australia providing unique and incredible career opportunities for people including at Tech Central, the Aerotropolis and in our record infrastructure boom,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The pandemic has forced us to reflect on the workforce and it has never been more crucial for people across NSW to access quality advice to make informed decisions about their professional future.
“Careers NSW will allow people to be guided by the experiences of workers ingrained in the industries they are looking to enter.”
The NSW Government will also target highly-credentialed volunteers from major and emerging industries, to lend their time and industry expertise to provide advice in areas including advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity and construction.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said the NSW Government is committed to providing a dedicated careers service to people across NSW.
“Students and people looking to change careers or develop their skills deserve access to lifelong careers advice to make informed decisions on their future,” Mr Lee said.
“Careers NSW will provide a wrap-around service to not only connect people to accessible and quality careers guidance but to advise on educational pathways and qualifications that exist to match people to the skills they need to be employed faster.”
A pilot of Careers NSW will begin online through Service NSW later this year with a full rollout expected in mid-2022. For more information visit: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/careers-nsw

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.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Bradfield will define Australia’s first 22^nd Century City, which will be a key driver of economic growth and deliver up to 200,000 jobs across the Western Parkland City.
“Bradfield was a renowned engineer who designed and oversaw the construction of both the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney’s original railway network,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The name Bradfield is synonymous with delivering game-changing infrastructure and it sets the right tone for the area we have referred to as the ‘Aerotropolis Core’ until now.
“This area will be transformed into a thriving city centre, home to advanced manufacturing, research, science and education and we want Bradfield to be as iconic as the existing major city centres of Sydney and Parramatta.
“What are paddocks now will be a thriving, bustling city centre offering the best job opportunities anywhere in Australia.”
Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the area to be named Bradfield is more than 100 hectares and sits north of the existing suburb of Bringelly. It is at the heart of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis and will eventually lend its name to surrounding areas.
“The number of suggestions the community put forward to ‘Name the Place’ was overwhelming and we are thrilled with the level of participation and interest this project attracted,” Mr Ayres said.
“We thank everyone for having their say and want to assure the community the remaining suggestions will be considered as names for streets, parks and other landmarks in the new city centre.
“I look forward to Bradfield being the first name that people think of when starting a new job, creating a new business, learning a new skill and investing in NSW.”
John Bradfield’s Grandson Jim Bradfield has welcomed the announcement.
“It is a great honour that my grandfather’s name continues to be associated with major infrastructure developments in and around Sydney,” Mr Bradfield said.
“We hope his achievements will inspire generations to come, and help shape the future of our urban landscape.”
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.
The NSW Government has 18 Foundation Partner commitments, including with Suez, Siemens, Hitachi, Sydney Water and Northrup Grumman, and continues to formalise relationships with a number of other partners, including FedEx, Romar Engineering and Quickstep in the creation of the innovative ecosystem at the Aerotropolis.

Construction of the $780 million Prince of Wales Hospital Integrated Acute Services Building has reached its highest point, marking a key milestone for Randwick’s new health and innovation precinct.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the new state-of-the-art hospital building is a key feature of the $1.5 billion Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct, which includes an investment of more than $1 billion from the NSW Government.
“This new hospital building will deliver first class healthcare services to support the community as it grows, while opening up opportunities for ground-breaking health and education partnerships,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The community will also benefit from a real economic boost, with around 600 new jobs created through the building’s construction alone, and potential for thousands more flow-on jobs over the project’s lifetime.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the NSW Government has partnered with the University of New South Wales to deliver contemporary clinical spaces to provide the best possible healthcare for patients into the future.
“This partnership will give the precinct a competitive edge on the global stage for health advancements, research and education,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Together we will bring innovative treatments and medical advancements from the bench top to the bedside to improve health outcomes for our community.”
The building will include a new emergency department, extra inpatient beds, a new helipad, intensive care unit, aged care services, a new psychiatric emergency care centre and shared operating theatres for the campus when it opens in 2022.
Under the next phase of the Randwick Campus Redevelopment within the precinct, Sydney Children’s Hospital Stage 1 and the Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre are on track to be completed in 2025 and UNSW Health Translation Hub is scheduled to open in late 2026.

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.