Category: NSW News

A world-class multi-disciplinary university campus will be able to be delivered within the Westmead Health and Innovation District with the signing of a framework agreement between the NSW Government and the University of Sydney.
The new University campus will build on the District’s role as one of the largest health, education, research and training precincts in Australia.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the agreement was an important step for the long-term future of the Westmead Health and Innovation District.
“A globally recognised University campus in the Central River City at the core of the Westmead Health and Innovation District will drive innovation and catalyse future growth, ensuring we become a world leader in lifelong education and research partnerships that save lives and cure diseases,” Mr Ayres said.
Mr Ayres said over the next 30 years, the NSW Government’s vision for the District is expected to create more than 20,000 new jobs and contribute an additional $2.8 billion of economic output per year to the NSW economy.
“Having the University at the core of the Westmead Health and Innovation District will help transform the district into a powerhouse of invention, creativity, and commercialisation, and home to world-leading enterprises, start-ups, researchers and students,” Mr Ayres said.
Mr Ayres paid tribute to the vision of the outgoing Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Sydney, Dr Michael Spence AC, to expand the University’s presence in Western Sydney over coming decades, contributing to the economic, social, cultural and intellectual growth of the area and the broader Sydney metropolis.
Dr Spence, who will become President and Provost of University College London in January 2021, said he was delighted the University of Sydney and NSW Government had agreed to develop a shared vision for a mixed-use University campus at Parramatta/Westmead.
“This once-in-a-century opportunity in Western Sydney would build on our 40-year history at Westmead and create a genuinely multidisciplinary major campus that enables new partnership and innovation opportunities for all of Sydney,” Dr Spence said.
“We are committed to offering students in Western Sydney more opportunity to study and pursue research with our incredible academics to help solve some of the world’s most challenging problems.”
Pending final agreement around the size and timings of the campus development, the University hopes to attract more than 25,000 students and 2,500 staff by 2055 and provide affordable student and staff accommodation.
Minister for Health and Medical Research Brad Hazzard said the NSW Government and the University of Sydney are committed to working together as health will continue to be a strong focus throughout Westmead and the future of the site.
“Westmead Health and Innovation District will continue to deliver world-class health services for the communities of Western Sydney by developing new and innovative models of health care.”
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education and Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said the agreement was a win for Parramatta and Western Sydney.
“Westmead is already the largest biomedical precinct in Australia. The commitment by University of Sydney today will transform the precinct by offering a comprehensive suite of university courses beyond health studies. Parramatta City has established itself to be the education capital of Western Sydney,” he said.
The agreement marks the next step in exclusive negotiations between Government and the University which commenced in November 2018. It confirms the University of Sydney as the ‘educational anchor’ for the Government’s planned innovation district, based on the University’s leading status as a top-100 global university. It also confirms a site for the new campus in Parramatta North adjacent to the Westmead hospitals, and a process for ongoing engagement once land for the proposed campus becomes available for development.
For more information please visit here.

Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital has become the first public hospital in NSW with a robotic pharmacy, with the $265 million Stage 2 redevelopment on track for completion next year.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard, along with Member for Hornsby Matt Kean, saw the robotic dispensing and stocktaking system in motion today and toured the newly opened 12-bed Intensive Care Unit.
“The $265 million Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital Stage 2 redevelopment will provide a superior experience for patients, carers, staff and visitors, with a larger emergency department and an Intensive Care Unit about three times the size of the previous one,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The new, state-of-the-art pharmacy is also more than double in size and, thanks to its advanced robotics, can select and dispense medications and conduct stocktakes faster, reducing errors and wastage and allowing pharmacists to spend more time with patients.”
Mr Kean said the new Intensive Care Unit opened less than a month ago and is a modern, purpose-built department that includes single patient rooms, with large observation windows and a large staff station.
“This new Intensive Care Unit brings Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital into the 21^st century by ensuring the building matches the superior care the clinicians deliver. There is vast space for clinicians to provide outstanding care, with patients’ needs at the centre of its design,” Mr Kean said.
“There is more natural light which is important for the patient’s recovery, more privacy for patient care and family discussions and every room can be an isolation room if required, meaning better infection control.”
Other departments to have opened as part of the redevelopment include Outpatients, Paediatrics and Medical Imaging.
The $265 million Stage 2 redevelopment will deliver a new Clinical Services Building, due for completion next year, and a refurbished and expanded Emergency Department.
The Clinical Services Building will include:

• A combined Intensive Care and High Dependency Unit;
• Combined Respiratory/Cardiac and Coronary Care beds co-located with a Cardiac Investigations Unit;
• Ambulatory Care Centre (Outpatients Department);
• Medical Imaging;
• Paediatrics;
• Medical Assessment Unit;
• Inpatients Units (including general medicine, rehabilitation, stroke and dementia/delirium beds);
• Co-located education space with The University of Sydney
• Helipad

The redevelopment will also deliver a refurbished and expanded Psychiatric Emergency Care Centre, new day chemotherapy unit and renal dialysis unit for the first time at Hornsby, expansion of oral health services and integration of community health services.

Plans to slash travel times for drivers and public transport commuters in Sydney’s north have taken a major step forward with the Beaches Link Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) released today.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the mega-project will include twin tunnels under Middle Harbour with three lanes in each direction, allowing commuters to avoid peak hour congestion on the Spit Bridge, Military Road and the Roseville Bridge.
“Beaches Link will transform the way people move to and from the Northern Beaches, bypassing 19 sets of traffic lights through The Spit, Mosman and Neutral Bay and help save up to 56 minutes between Dee Why and Sydney airport,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Residents in Neutral Bay, Mosman and Cremorne will experience less congestion and noise, with traffic volumes expected to reduce by around a third along Spit Road.
“The Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link program is expected to support around 15,000 full-time jobs.”
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the project will integrate with new and existing public transport connections.
“There will be the opportunity for new express bus services to key centres including St Leonards, Macquarie Park, North Sydney and Sydney CBD, and direct access to North Sydney to interchange with the new Sydney Metro,” Mr Constance said.
“We’re also planning more than five kilometres of new cycle and pedestrian pathways, including links to the Northern Beaches Hospital precinct.
“This is the next stage of the consultation process, giving the community another opportunity to have its say.
“Transport for NSW has adapted its community engagement in line with current health advice regarding COVID-19, and will be providing enhanced online engagement with virtual information sessions throughout January and February.
“We’ll also work closely with locals in Balgowlah, where we’ll be returning an area equivalent to around 90 per cent of the current open space to the community. Further consultation will be held with the community on open space in Balgowlah later in 2021.”
The tunnel will be up to 108 metres in depth (approximately 33 storeys) and include new connections on the Gore Hill Freeway at Artarmon, Warringah Freeway at Cammeray and direct access onto Burnt Bridge Creek Deviation at Balgowlah and Wakehurst Parkway at Seaforth.
The Wakehurst Parkway will be widened from one lane to two in each direction between Seaforth and Frenchs Forest.
The project is also expected to slash future travel times by:

• up to 38 minutes between Balgowlah and Sydney CBD
• up to 54 minutes between Frenchs Forest and Rozelle
• up to 32 minutes between Manly and Macquarie Park

The EIS will be on extended public exhibition from Wednesday 9 December 2020 until Monday 1 March 2021.

A man from the southern NSW city of Albury is expected to be charged with terrorism-related offences following a NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) investigation.
The 18-year-old man was arrested earlier this morning (Wednesday, 9 December 2020) and is due to be charged with a range of criminal counter-terrorism-related offences.
He is expected to face Albury Local Court once charged, and an application will be made to have the matter heard in a Sydney court at a later date.
The investigation began in August 2020 after NSW JCTT investigators became aware of a number of online posts containing an extreme right wing ideology that indicated potential criminal activity.
It will be alleged in court that the man has regularly used social media forums and communications applications during 2020 to encourage other people to commit violent acts in furtherance of an extreme right wing ideology.
NSW JCTT investigators became concerned about the escalating content of some of the man’s communications, which allegedly indicated his willingness to commit a violent and criminal act. The decision was made to execute a search warrant on his Albury residence.
Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Counter Terrorism Scott Lee said NSW JCTT investigators were concerned about the man’s actions to date, and made a decision to act early to ensure community safety.
“The sole aim of today’s activity was to ensure the safety of the community by preventing further planning, preparations or advocacy by this man that could have resulted in an attack in Australia,” he said.
“The investigation into this matter remains ongoing, but we remain wary about the speed with which lone actors can progress from online activities to ones that impact the real world. It highlights the commitment and professionalism of the people and agencies involved in the JCTT, and their desire to protect the community by bringing people to account for their criminal actions.”
NSW Police Force Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Commander, Assistant Commissioner Mark Walton, said regardless of the nature of a person’s extremist views, there was no place for them within our community.
“The NSW JCTT will continue to work together to ensure the community is protected from those who seek to do us harm, and those who think they can exploit the online environment to spread their extremist ideologies.
“If we see activity that concerns us – as we have during the course of this investigation – we will act swiftly to ensure that activity does not escalate.
“I would like to take this opportunity to remind the community that they are our eyes and ears – so if you see something online, report it. Your information is often invaluable in assisting investigations such as this one.”
The man is expected to be charged with one count each of the following offences:

• Urging violence against members or groups, contrary to section 80.2A (1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is seven years imprisonment.
• Advocating Terrorism, contrary to section 80.2C (1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is five years imprisonment.

The NSW JCTT is comprised of members from the Australian Federal Police, NSW Police Force, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the NSW Crime Commission.
Anyone with information about extremist activity or possible threats to the community should come forward, no matter how small or insignificant you may think the information may be. The National Security Hotline is 1800 123 400.
There is no ongoing threat to the community relating to this investigation.

A new social media campaign from the NSW Government and eSafety is cracking down on image-based abuse by providing advice and support to people who have had intimate digital content shared without their consent.
Reports of image-based abuse to eSafety increased by 172 per cent between March and September this year when compared to the same period in 2019.
Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said women aged 18 to 24 are among those most at risk, but warned it can happen to anyone regardless of age, sexual orientation, race, religion or socio-economic status.
“Sharing an intimate image or video of someone without their clear consent is never ok. We want people to know exactly what to do if they fall victim to this appalling act,” Mrs Taylor said.
“This campaign highlights everything you need to know about image-based abuse, from reporting an offence to accessing counselling and having images or videos removed from social media and search engines.”
Attorney General and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Mark Speakman welcomed the campaign and said image-based abuse took many forms.
“This abuse also includes threats to share intimate images or videos and digitally altering material to appear sexual or nude,” Mr Speakman said.
“Recent Government reforms aim to address this abuse too, with courts now able to order an offender to remove, retract, delete or destroy an intimate image when found guilty of threatening to distribute it without consent to give traumatised victims some peace of mind.”
The eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said it will take a community effort to stop this behaviour.
“Parents, carers, friends, partners or siblings – we can all create positive change to stop image-based abuse by calling out anyone misusing intimate content,” Ms Inman Grant said.
At the age of 18, Noelle Martin discovered that pictures of her had been stolen and digitally edited into explicit content. She said that raising awareness is important to help stop this kind of exploitation.
“To those who may be experiencing image-based abuse – please know you are not alone and there is help and support available. Please know that it does not have to define you and you can get through it,” Ms Martin said.
Anyone experiencing abuse can report it to esafety.gov.au/report or call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) for 24/7 support and referrals.

The NSW Government has announced 11 organisations will collectively receive more than $500,000 in grants for innovative ideas to help workplaces reduce the impact of mental health issues and to aid recovery.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the Recovery Boost program, administered by the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA), provides up to $50,000 in funding for projects that promote seeking assistance early, supporting an individual’s recovery and reducing stigma around mental health.
“Workplaces play a pivotal role at the coal face in promoting mental fitness and these grants will empower them to provide staff with help and support when needed,” Mr Dominello said.
“I congratulate the successful recipients who have proven their commitment to the mental health recovery journey.”
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the grants would support employers to create and maintain an environment that promotes and encourages good mental health.
“Everyone in a workplace can contribute to a culture where people feel safe and supported to talk about mental health and these grants will help the recipients embed tailored support for individuals and teams,” Mrs Taylor said.

A bold rescue-and-return mission by the NSW Government has successfully seen more than 60,000 Murray Cod released back into the Darling River near Menindee today, two years after severe drought triggered fish deaths.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian joined Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Western NSW Adam Marshall at Menindee to oversee the restocking of the Darling River.
Ms Berejiklian said the return of the Murray Cod to the waterway was part of the NSW Government’s ambitious plan to help restock the Darling River.
“This is a historic day for the Menindee community and the Barkindji people in particular,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Two years ago widespread fish deaths were caused by high temperatures and record low rainfall so it gives me great joy to see these Murray Cod returned home and swimming through our healthy waterways.”
Mr Marshall said the fish were offspring of 70 Murray Cod rescued after the NSW Government last year took unprecedented action to launch the State’s largest-ever breeding program.
“Fast-forward to today and our virtual ‘Noah’s Ark’ has docked home, returning a massive 60,000 Murray Cod to their native river, a major milestone in the NSW Government’s $10 million Fish Rescue Strategy,” Mr Marshall said.
“The iconic Murray Cod is particularly special to both the Menindee region and local indigenous communities, so to stand here today with key community members and First Nations representatives as these fish are returned to country is very moving.
“This is just the start of something special. These 60,000 Murray Cod are only the first of more than 400,000 fish to be stocked across the State this month alone, and we will continue breeding 2.5 million native fish species each year to keep our rivers stocked.”
Mr Marshall said the Murray Cod restocked today were the offspring of fish rescued by NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Fisheries from Menindee in the sweltering summer of 2019, and more saved the following summer.
“The rescued Murray Cod were taken to the NSW Government’s flagship fish hatchery at Narrandera, where they stayed until conditions improved,” Mr Marshall said.
“DPI has done a phenomenal job in breeding these offspring. This program ensures the survival of our fish species, no matter how severe future summers might be.”

Entrepreneurs and innovators will have more opportunities to bring ideas to life with Western Sydney to become home to the State’s second Startup Hub.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the Western Sydney Startup Hub project would cement investment, technology and innovation as the centrepiece of the Government’s COVID-19 Recovery strategy.
“This new Startup Hub will be an exciting step in activating the historic Parramatta North Heritage Core and is set to provide 1,500 square metres of affordable co-working space and programs to support Western Sydney startups, scaleups and businesses,” Mr Ayres said.
“It will form part of the revitalised Parramatta North Heritage Core and will honour our past while preparing us for the future, by providing the space to create the jobs of tomorrow.
“It will draw on the successes of the Sydney Startup Hub in the Sydney CBD, which has already housed almost 500 companies, generated more than $280 million in investment and created more than 1,000 jobs.
“This project will bring the innovation revolution to the heart of Western Sydney, complementing the growth of the broader Westmead Health and Innovation District, including the recently announced Innovation Quarter development, which will deliver over 1,000 jobs and 28,000 square metres of health, research, education and commercial space.”
The Western Sydney Startup Hub is expected to open in late 2021 following a sensitive restoration of the circa 1876 Hospital Spinal Range Building and circa 1892 Kitchen Block.
Expressions of interest to operate and manage the Western Sydney Startup Hub will be open to respondents until 18 December 2020. More information can be found here

A bold rescue-and-return mission by the NSW Government has successfully seen more than 60,000 Murray Cod released back into the Darling River near Menindee today, two years after severe drought triggered fish deaths.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian joined Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Western NSW Adam Marshall at Menindee to oversee the restocking of the Darling River.
Ms Berejiklian said the return of the Murray Cod to the waterway was part of the NSW Government’s ambitious plan to help restock the Darling River.
“This is a historic day for the Menindee community and the Barkindji people in particular,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Two years ago widespread fish deaths were caused by high temperatures and record low rainfall so it gives me great joy to see these Murray Cod returned home and swimming through our healthy waterways.”
Mr Marshall said the fish were offspring of 70 Murray Cod rescued after the NSW Government last year took unprecedented action to launch the State’s largest-ever breeding program.
“Fast-forward to today and our virtual ‘Noah’s Ark’ has docked home, returning a massive 60,000 Murray Cod to their native river, a major milestone in the NSW Government’s $10 million Fish Rescue Strategy,” Mr Marshall said.
“The iconic Murray Cod is particularly special to both the Menindee region and local indigenous communities, so to stand here today with key community members and First Nations representatives as these fish are returned to country is very moving.
“This is just the start of something special. These 60,000 Murray Cod are only the first of more than 400,000 fish to be stocked across the State this month alone, and we will continue breeding 2.5 million native fish species each year to keep our rivers stocked.”
Mr Marshall said the Murray Cod restocked today were the offspring of fish rescued by NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Fisheries from Menindee in the sweltering summer of 2019, and more saved the following summer.
“The rescued Murray Cod were taken to the NSW Government’s flagship fish hatchery at Narrandera, where they stayed until conditions improved,” Mr Marshall said.
“DPI has done a phenomenal job in breeding these offspring. This program ensures the survival of our fish species, no matter how severe future summers might be.”