Category: NSW News

Work has officially started on the Sydney Metro West mega project, which will create tens of thousands of jobs and transform Greater Sydney for generations to come.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Transport Andrew Constance officially marked the start of work at The Bays Station site, which is being prepared for the arrival of tunnel boring machines.
“Sydney Metro West is a life changing mega project which will transform how we get around Sydney and ensure we have the right transport in place to accommodate the city’s growth,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This project will help cut crowding on three major train lines and take tens of thousands of cars off the roads every day.
“The NSW Government is continuing to invest record amounts in public transport projects, like Metro West, because we know improving transport makes a real difference to people’s lives, while also providing much needed local jobs.”
Mr Perrottet said the project will create more than 10,000 direct new jobs and around 70,000 indirect jobs, delivering a boost to the local economy.
“Investing in crucial job-creating infrastructure projects is a key focus of this year’s State Budget,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The NSW Government is investing tens of billions of dollars into delivering a new Metro network to connect Greater Sydney, including $2.1 billion in 2020-21 to get the construction of Sydney Metro West underway,” Mr Perrottet said.
Mr Constance said the city-shaping project will double rail capacity between Greater Parramatta and the Sydney CBD.
“Sydney Metro West will deliver new fully accessible stations at Westmead, Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park, North Strathfield, Burwood North, Five Dock, The Bays and the Sydney CBD,” Mr Constance said.
“This once in a century infrastructure investment will have a target travel time of about 20 minutes between Parramatta and the Sydney CBD, link new communities to rail services and support employment growth and housing supply.”
The road works at The Bays, assessed and approved earlier this year, will allow the first of four mega tunnel boring machines to be in the ground before the end of 2022.
Sydney Metro is continuing to work through the shortlist process to appoint a consortia to deliver the first tunnelling package, the Central Tunnelling Package, which includes 11 kilometres of twin tunnels from The Bays to Sydney Olympic Park.
Due to the scale of this city-shaping mega project, the tunnelling and excavation works have been separated into geographically-specific contract packages between Westmead and the Sydney CBD.
The first tunnelling contract is expected to be awarded by the middle of 2021.

Creating and supporting jobs through targeted stimulus measures, billions of dollars for infrastructure and maintenance, tax cuts for business and record health funding are at the centre of today’s 2020-21 NSW State Budget.
The Budget reinforces our world-class health system that has made NSW a global leader in tracking, tracing and containing COVID-19 to keep our people safe, as part of a record $29.3 billion health budget.
Job creation is front and centre with a record $107 billion infrastructure pipeline targeting shovel and screwdriver-ready projects, while a skills and training blitz will help people get back into the workforce after this year’s significant job losses.
Hip-pocket support will give families peace of mind, with 15 hours of free preschool per week extended to the end of 2021, and $100 worth of Out & About vouchers for every adult resident to inject new energy into the economy, help businesses doing it tough and encourage employment.
More assistance is being fast-tracked to help those most affected, with the biggest mental health budget in NSW’s history, and a major investment to provide intensive tutoring in schools to help students overcome the challenges of a rollercoaster school year.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the Budget takes decisive action to meet the needs of people across NSW, as we emerge from an unprecedented health and economic crisis.
“The people of NSW have done it tough over the past 12 months, faced with the triple crises of drought, bushfires and COVID-19,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We are doing whatever it takes to stay ahead of the pandemic and provide the support our households, businesses and communities need to get back on their own two feet.”
The NSW economy contracted by 1 per cent in 2019-20, with negative growth of ¾ per cent projected for 2020-21, followed by a projected return to growth of 2½ per cent in 2021-22.
The Budget will make targeted investments to turbo-charge jobs over the next five years with the unemployment rate projected to fall to 5¼ per cent by June 2024 as up to 270,000 people return to the workforce.
“With so many people out of work this year and more predicted to become unemployed, we’re in a race against time to help create as many new jobs as we can,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This Budget has workers at its heart, with temporary, targeted stimulus to generate jobs and get businesses booming again.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said nine years of strong financial management had put the Government in a strong position to deploy its fiscal firepower, which would be coupled with record low interest rates, to stimulate a strong recovery through responsible borrowing.
“The risk of long-term economic damage is too great if we do not take action, so we are taking advantage of record low interest rates and a strong balance sheet to turbo-charge our recovery,” Mr Perrottet said.
“That doesn’t mean abandoning our firm commitment to fiscal responsibility. This Budget includes measures to chart a course back to surplus by 2024-25, and a strong economic recovery will support that goal.”
The Budget takes the next steps to secure greater prosperity for current and future generations, continuing to deliver large-scale infrastructure to build a better future, investing in our people through education and skills, and securing the quality services everyone in NSW can rely on.
Employers will get a major recovery boost with $2.8 billion in payroll tax cuts including increasing the threshold to $1.2 million to lower the cost of creating jobs, and businesses that are under the payroll tax threshold will receive $1,500 vouchers to cover government fees.
A new push to cut red tape will make it easier to run a business, and through the Government’s Jobs Plus initiative we will support companies who want to relocate their head offices to NSW or expand their jobs footprint in NSW.
The Budget also supports a broad-ranging reform agenda including planning, education and digital reform, and examining reform to the state’s property tax system.
The record investment in this Budget sets us up for a prosperous, post-pandemic NSW

NSW residents will be given $100 worth of digital vouchers that can be used at eateries and on arts and tourism attractions across NSW as part of a flagship $500 million program to help business, stimulate the State’s economy and support local jobs.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the $500 million Out & About program was designed to boost businesses hit hard by the pandemic, by encouraging people to get out and enjoy the best of NSW.
“No industry has felt the economic impacts of COVID-19 more than the hospitality, arts and tourism industries,” Mr Perrottet said.
“NSW acted swiftly to save lives and stop the spread of COVID-19 and we want to help businesses by encouraging spending within local communities, especially within the hospitality, arts and tourism sectors.”
Every NSW resident aged 18 and over will be eligible for four $25 vouchers worth $100 in total – with the program designed to encourage people to spend multiple times to support their local businesses.
Two vouchers can be used for eating in at venues such as restaurants, cafes, clubs and other food service venues, and two vouchers can be used for entertainment and recreation, such as cultural institutions, performing arts, cinemas, and amusement parks.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said Service NSW would operate a pilot of the scheme throughout December in the Sydney CBD.
“Applying for a voucher will be simple and easy and made available via the Service NSW app. We must be COVID smart as well as COVID safe and the success of this program will depend upon people continuing to follow the rules,” Mr Dominello said.
“This program is ambitious and the first of its kind in Australia. The Government will run a pilot scheme to make sure we can iron-out any issues before launching Out & About across NSW in the new year.”
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said the introduction of a four-voucher scheme was to encourage people to open their wallets and spend across a wider range of businesses over an extended time period.
“It’s almost time to open the door on 2021 and I can’t think of a better way to do that than by encouraging people to support their local businesses through this program,” Mr Tudehope said.
Vouchers will not be redeemable for tobacco, alcohol or gambling. For more information, visit www.nsw.gov.au.
To become a COVID Safe business, please register via www.nsw.gov.au.

From our youngest learners to those in their final years of high school, students across NSW are set to benefit from new infrastructure and schools, and upgrades to technology as part of the 2020-21 NSW Budget.
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said more than $19.7 billion would be invested into providing world-class education to students right across the state in 2020-21.
“We are investing in our students who will be our future mechanics, doctors and small business owners. We’re laying the foundations and boosting the facilities that our kids need to have the best success in life,” Ms Mitchell said.
“NSW’s students, teachers and parents have faced the state’s triple crises of drought, bushfires and now COVID-19 head on, adapting to how education is delivered across the state.
“We’re investing $120 million in our future generations by providing 12 months of free community preschool for our littlest learners to ensure they are well prepared to start school.
“We’re also spending $337 million to provide tutors to every public school and selected non-government schools for 2021 ensuring no student’s education suffers as a result of the disruption caused by COVID-19.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said supporting the education system and investing in boosting outcomes were paramount to a prosperous, post-pandemic economy.
“Schools have seen a year like no other, and this budget will support students from their very first years to their last. Making sure our students in preschool, primary school and high school have not fallen behind during the pandemic is key to our recovery,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We recognise the importance of schools in the wider community, which is why we are investing $240 million over two years into regional and metropolitan school building programs.
“The programs will help schools across NSW fund projects like canteens, administration buildings and outdoor learning areas. These projects will be completed by local business, with local employees, supporting local jobs, delivering a win for the school and the wider community.”
Ms Mitchell said the budget would support students and families right across the state with a $366 million investment into the Rural Access Gap program.
“The program will connect students and teachers from some of the most remote parts of the State with the technology and tools they need to access and leverage educational opportunities,” Ms Mitchell said.
“We are also pushing on with our major reforms in education ensuring our students are prepared for life after school.
“Our history making $6.7 billion school building program grows to $7 billion. Progress continues uninterrupted with 50 new or upgraded schools already delivered this year as part of our record building program delivering 200 new and upgraded schools.”
Other education investments in the 2020-21 NSW Budget includes:

• More than $100 million for an Education Campus in Murwillumbah;
• $320 million for new primary schools at Edmondson Park, Googong and Murrumbateman; and upgrades to Carlingford West Public School, North Sydney Public School, and Picnic Point High School;
• $366 million for digital upgrades in regional schools starting with $85 million being delivered immediately;
• $158 million to install LED lights in public schools over the next two years; and
• More than $1.3 billion in flexible needs-based funding for schools for the 2021 school year.

Non-government schools will receive $1.5 billion in grant funding in 2020-21, including the Government’s commitment to provide $500 million over four years for the Building Grants Assistance Scheme for capital works projects to support enrolment growth, and $31 million towards tutors for low SES, low fee schools.

Businesses are set to benefit from thousands of dollars in tax relief and a raft of other support measures designed to improve their cashflow and help them hire more staff as the NSW Government pushes forward with its COVID-19 stimulus and economic recovery plan outlined in the 2020-21 NSW Budget.
From $1,500 digital vouchers for smaller enterprises to cover government fees and charges, to relief from payroll tax, and a three-year extension of the Business Connect program, businesses are at the forefront of the NSW Government’s 2020-21 Budget, providing billions of dollars in support.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said the Budget was all about bolstering businesses as NSW plans for its post-pandemic future.
“Many businesses across NSW have faced the triple challenges of droughts, bushfires and COVID-19 this year and it’s important that we support them at this critical time,” Mr Tudehope said.
“Small businesses make up 97.5 per cent of businesses in NSW and they are the backbone of the economy; if we keep businesses in business, we keep people in jobs and help create new ones as we drive the State’s economic recovery.”
Key Budget measures to support business and jobs include:

• A two-year payroll tax rate cut from 5.45 per cent to 4.85 per cent and a permanent increase in the payroll tax threshold from $1 million to $1.2 million. These tax cuts, worth $2.8 billion, will provide an average saving of around $34,000 a year for the next two years for businesses liable for payroll tax;
• $500 million for an Out & About digital voucher program providing $100 worth of digital vouchers to NSW residents to spend on eating out and entertainment activities to boost businesses and encourage people to spend locally;
• $472 million for new digital vouchers worth $1,500 which can be used by small businesses under the payroll tax threshold towards the cost of government fees and charges;
• More than $39 million in a funding boost for the Business Connect program which has been extended for a further three years to support small businesses across the State to access targeted business advice;
• $5 million for the NSW Small Business Commission to establish a new tendering support service under a four-year program, providing small business with practical tips and assistance to prepare and submit Government tenders;
• Almost $2 million to continue the small business rebate program, providing up to $500 to support small business owners and sole traders who buy and install safety equipment; and
• A temporary extension to 28 March 2021 of the National Cabinet Mandatory Code of Conduct – SME Commercial Leasing Principles for retail tenants only with an annual turnover of less than $5 million. Landlords who provide rent reductions between 1 January 2021 to 28 March 2021, to eligible retail tenants experiencing financial distress due to the pandemic, can apply for land tax relief of up to 25 per cent on the land leased for the 2021 land tax year.

More information on the payroll tax changes will be made available on the Revenue NSW website.
For information on the Out & About scheme, visit nsw.gov.au Information on the digital vouchers will become available on the Service NSW website in the coming weeks.
For information on Business Connect visit business.nsw.gov.au/businessconnect
For more on the small business rebate program visit safework.nsw.gov.au/advice-and-resources/rebate-programs/small-business-rebates.
For more information on the (COVID-19) commercial leases regulation and the land tax relief available for eligible landlords, please visit service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/covid-19-help-small-businesses/commercial-lease-support

Patients with blood cancers and some rare genetic diseases will benefit from a $49.6 million funding boost for innovative new cell and gene therapies in the 2020-21 NSW Budget.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the funding will provide faster and greater access to cutting edge and lifesaving treatments, including CAR T-cell therapy.
“This funding offers real hope to the families of children suffering from rare and often fatal diseases by opening the door to new, innovative therapies,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This is an exciting time in medicine. There is a wave of cell and gene therapies now available for rare, previously untreatable, often fatal conditions.”
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said NSW has played a leading role in global research efforts in the development of novel cell and gene therapies to treat rare, fatal conditions.
“The people of NSW no longer need to leave their State to access these world-class innovations, thanks to the ingenuity and dedication of our State’s leading clinical experts,” Mr Hazzard said.
“This investment will help ensure NSW children with these rare and life-threatening conditions are given every chance possible at a longer, happier and healthier life.”
The funding will support access to:

• CAR T-cell therapy which  modifies a person’s own immune cells to attack their cancer and offers hope for remission and long-term survival for:
  • children and young adults with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) CAR T-cell therapy.
  • adults with diffuse large B-cell Lymphoma.
• Gene therapy for children with the genetic blinding eye disease, Retinitis Pigmentosa.  This potentially sight-saving therapy is expected to be available in Australia by the end of 2020.
• Monoclonal antibody therapy for neuroblastoma. This therapy vastly improves the outcomes for children with this type of cancer.
• Gene-based therapies for spinal muscular atrophy, a fatal condition with few treatment options until very recently. NSW has one of the highest volume centres globally for gene therapy treatment of this condition.

A man will face court today charged after driving through a border checkpoint in the Monaro region yesterday.
About 8.30am (Monday 16 November 2020), police stopped a station wagon with Victorian registration at the border checkpoint on the Monaro Highway at Rockton.
When police spoke with the driver and two passengers about their border permits to enter NSW, the driver allegedly accelerated from the checkpoint. The vehicle was pursued by police for a short time before being terminated due to safety concerns.
A short time later, police located the vehicle crashed on the side of the road near Jimenbuen. Two men and a woman were assisted from the vehicle and arrested, before being taken to Cooma Police Station. No injuries were reported.
The driver, a 26-year-old man from Moe in Victoria, was later taken to Cooma Hospital for mandatory testing, before returning to the police station.
He has been charged with police pursuit, drive etc when visiting privileges withdrawn, drive unregistered or charges unpaid vehicle, drive uninsured vehicle, use registrable vehicle not display authorised numberplates, and reckless driving.
The man was refused bail to appear in Queanbeyan Local Court today (Tuesday 17 November 2020).
The other two occupants were released pending further inquiries.
Inquiries continue.

Women across the State will have access to grants of up to $5,000 through the NSW Government’s new $10 million Return to Work program, as part of the 2020-21 NSW Budget.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the program would provide women with financial assistance and targeted support including mentoring, advice and training to help them return to the workforce.
“These grants will help women whose employment has been affected by COVID-19 to overcome some of the obstacles in returning to the workforce,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“I encourage women from all walks of life to apply for these grants and use this springboard to jump back into their former career or even start a new one.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said helping more women get back to work will not only provide a financial lifeline for them and their families, it will also boost the economy.
“We know that many part-time or casual positions and female-dominated industries were severely impacted by COVID-19, so we are looking to empower as many women as possible to be able to get back into paid employment,” Mr Perrottet said.
It is estimated that women make up 53 per cent of directly affected industries and 65 per cent of secondary industries impacted by the pandemic. These include accommodation and food services, retail, arts, and professional services.
Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said the grants are available to all women who have been out of work for at least one month.
“There are so many costs involved in starting up again, so it is great that women looking to return to work will be able to use these grants towards things like training and education, office supplies, or whatever it is they need to get back into a job,” Mrs Taylor said.
“The money can also be used for childcare, including before and after school care and transport, which will really help mothers overcome some of the biggest barriers to getting back into work.”
Eligible recipients will be given a Return to Work Coordinator to develop a plan, which will set out the resources that will assist them getting back in the workforce. They must be a resident of NSW and plan to start paid work within six months.
The Return to Work Program aligns with the NSW Women’s Strategy, which sets the NSW Government’s priorities for supporting women and girls, especially following times of crisis.
For further information, visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/register-interest-return-work-program.

The NSW Government announced today it is investing $60 million as part of its COVID-19 Recovery Plan to replace roofs at schools across rural and regional NSW.
NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said the Roof Replacement Program will support local construction economies by providing roof repairs and replacements for high priority schools.
“The NSW Government is continuing to roll out record amounts of funding for our regions and schools are no exception,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Our regional students are amongst the most talented in the country and they deserve to have the same quality facilities as their counterparts in the city. The economic stimulus directly associated with this infrastructure spend will be great news for local communities.”
“Schools will not need to apply to take part in this program as it is based on priority and community benefits.”
Ms Mitchell said the NSW Government was committed to making sure that local communities have access to modern facilities to support learning outcomes.
“The Roof Replacement Program will accelerate school infrastructure projects with high economic stimulus potential to minimise the impact of COVID-19 by creating local jobs and supporting economic growth,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The funding will benefit local communities by supporting over 300 jobs across regional NSW. Wherever possible, local contractors and suppliers will be engaged to ensure that the positive impact of this stimulus is felt through the regions.”
The program will be prioritised by the need of the school and community benefits.

Up to 270,000 people are projected to be back in work by 2024 as the NSW Government turbocharges stimulus measures to combat unemployment and help NSW shake-off the economic shackles of COVID-19.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet will hand down the 2020-21 NSW Budget tomorrow with a focus squarely on creating jobs through tax cuts, stimulus and a boost to the State’s record infrastructure pipeline.
Among the measures to be announced by the Treasurer will be a payroll tax threshold increase from $1 million to $1.2 million, delivering a tax cut for thousands of businesses and further support for jobs in NSW.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the Government was determined to help as many people return to the workforce as possible.
“While we all wait for the COVID-19 vaccine to arrive, the NSW Government is determined to treat the economic symptoms of the pandemic by saving and creating as many jobs as possible,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Our targeted stimulus measures are aimed at returning the economy to a positive footing after the challenges of COVID-19.”
NSW Treasury predicts the State’s unemployment rate is forecast to drop from a peak of 7.5 per cent in the December quarter 2020 to around 5¼ per cent in June 2024.
“Our strong budget position has allowed us to weather the most severe economic storm in a generation, and we will continue to lead the way in job creation and supporting business through the 2020-21 Budget,” Mr Perrottet said.
The Treasurer said new initiatives, such as the $250 million Jobs Plus program to help create or support  jobs and encourage business to relocate to NSW, and an additional $300 million injected into the Regional Growth Fund announced last week, would help drive the State’s economy back into high gear.
Last week the NSW Government also released a detailed planning package for the Western Sydney Aerotropolis which will see up to 200,000 jobs over coming decades.
Infrastructure and maintenance projects which will receive additional or fast‑tracked funding in tomorrow’s Budget include:

• Metro projects such as the Sydney Metro West and the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport;
• New roads such as the Sydney Gateway and significant road upgrades including the Pacific and Princes Highways;
• Major investments in health, including the redevelopment of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and expansion of Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick;
• New public schools in Googong, Murrumbateman and Edmondson Park, major upgrades at Picnic Point High School, Carlingford West and North Sydney Public Schools and  $240 million to partner with local regional and metropolitan schools to accelerate upgrades to school facilities and amenities;
• $104.5 million to an Arts and Maintenance Upgrade Fund to stimulate jobs and the economy through improving accessibility, sustainability and functionality of our cultural assets.