Category: NSW News

Family and friends visiting loved ones at Dubbo Base Hospital will find it far easier to park, with the NSW Government doubling spaces as part of the $241 million hospital redevelopment.
Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders released the designs today for the $30 million carpark project – a new, multi-storey car park on the western side of the hospital campus and a new car park on the south eastern side, creating an extra 350 spaces.
“This is great news for the local community. The NSW Government’s investment in Dubbo Base Hospital has boosted carparking capacity to a massive 926 spaces – an extra 761 new and upgraded spaces constructed during the hospital’s redevelopment – ensuring one of NSW’s busiest regional hospitals is well equipped for the future,” Mr Saunders said.
“This important project is moving forward, with construction of the new car parks scheduled to start next year and be open in 2022.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard joined Mr Saunders at the unveiling of the carpark project during a visit to Dubbo for the joint Federal-State Bilateral Regional Health Forum.
“The NSW Government is delivering a record $10.1 billion health infrastructure program across the state, stimulating local economies and creating new health jobs, especially in regional and rural areas,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The $30 million investment in parking is on top of the $241 million for Dubbo Base Hospital’s major upgrade, ensuring the campus delivers world-class health care closer to home.”
The carpark project also includes local artwork for the façade of the multi-storey car park and infrastructure upgrades such as roadways, footpaths, hospital access, lighting and security.
The $241 million Dubbo Hospital Redevelopment and the $35 million Western Cancer Centre Dubbo (including $25 million from the Federal Government), are on track for completion in 2021.
Stages 1 and 2 opened in 2016 and included operating theatres, a short stay unit and a maternity unit. Stage 3, including a new surgical in-patient unit, opened in 2018, and a new renal dialysis unit opened in December, 2019. The Emergency and Medical Imaging departments opened in March, followed by the Coronary Care Unit in June. The rest of the new Macquarie Building under Stage 4, including the Ambulatory Care Unit and Emergency triage area, will open by mid-2021.

Hundreds of fee-free training courses are now available for school leavers, young people and job seekers, as part of the NSW Government’s Skilling for Recovery initiative.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said these courses come from the $320 million committed to delivering 100,000 fee-free training places across the state.
“There are more than 100,000 fee-free training places available for people in NSW as the workforce looks to reskill, retrain and redeploy in a post COVID-19 economy,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“It doesn’t matter if you are a school leaver or looking for a new career path, I encourage everyone impacted by the pandemic to see what training options are available to them.”
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said enrolments are now open for in-demand skills leading to career pathways in areas such as aged care, nursing, trades, IT, community services, logistics and accounting.
“We are not training for the sake of training, we are training for real jobs with real futures and equipping the people of NSW with the skills they need to thrive in a post-pandemic economy,” Mr Lee said.
“There are hundreds of providers right around NSW who are ready to deliver this important training.”
As part of this Skilling for Recovery initiative, school leavers have the unique opportunity to experience a range of skills to find out what suits their passions using the Summer Skills program.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said some Year 12 school leavers are still deciding what they want to do next.
“In designing the Summer Skills program, the NSW Government has ensured the training on offer is aligned to local industry needs,” Ms Mitchell said.
“We need to provide opportunities that help the 2020 Year 12 school leaver cohort to find their feet during these uncertain times. That’s why we’re delivering practical, bite-sized and fee-free training opportunities this summer.”
The Summer Skills offered will cover a range of industries including agriculture, construction, conservation, fitness, engineering, coding, communication and digital literacy.
Full details of the courses on offer as part of Skilling for Recovery is here and the Department of Education Summer Skills program is available here.

The NSW Government will reopen the border to Victoria at 12.01am on Monday, 23 November.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the reopening date should give people the confidence to make plans, book holidays and reunite with family members in the lead up to Christmas.
“I want to thank the community, particularly in our border towns, for their patience during what has been an extremely difficult time,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We have worked closely with the Victorian Government throughout the border closure and will continue to monitor the situation as restrictions are eased.
“Our policy in NSW is to keep moving forward and operating in a COVID-Safe manner – the reopening of the NSW/Victorian border is another step in the right direction.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said Monday, November 23 is two weeks from the Victorian Government removing the ‘ring of steel’ border around Melbourne, allowing Victorian residents to travel freely around the State.
“This will be good riddance to a border that COVID-19 forced on us,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Victorian and NSW residents’ efforts have ensured families and friends will be back together and businesses will operate freely but in a COVID-safe way.”
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said that NSW Health would continue to work closely with colleagues in Victoria and have strengthened processes to support contract tracing across the two States.
“Our priority will remain protecting the health and safety of the community,” Dr Chant said.

More alfresco dining, roving performances, chairs in squares and people meeting with friends and family at cafes and restaurants are all part of the vision of the NSW Government and City of Sydney partnership to revitalise the Sydney CBD this summer.
The NSW Government will provide $1.5 million to fund a CBD activation grant program as part of its $20 million partnership with the City of Sydney, which has now been signed.
The jointly funded $3 million program will support delivery of CBD activation grants of between $5,000 and $50,000 to businesses, creatives and community groups to encourage people back into the city centre.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said signing the funding agreement was part of the NSW Government’s COVID Recovery Plan and an important milestone in the State and City’s collaboration to support creative ideas that will boost business and reanimate the CBD.
“Sealing this deal with the Lord Mayor today is a real step toward bringing to life many of the ideas that came out of September’s Summer Summit,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This funding will turn ideas to action and encourage people into the CBD in a COVIDSafe way, which is key for businesses who rely on summer trading for a big part of their revenue.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said as more people returned to the city, businesses could continue to open their doors and support more jobs.
“We have partnered with City of Sydney to revitalise Australia’s jewel in the crown and we are committed to make sure our great city continues to shine,” Mr Ayres said.
“The CBD activation grants will support partnerships between retailers, cafes and restaurants with musicians, performers and artists, with the aim to attract and entertain visitors, and to revitalise spaces that have been underused since the pandemic began.”
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the new round of grants will help bring people back to the city.
“We need to allow and encourage businesses to operate outdoors, and we need to support our creative and cultural life to activate and draw people back to our city, safely,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.
“We want to ensure our city businesses survive in the short term and create new opportunities for them to thrive in the long term.
“I encourage anyone who works in the city – from businesses and retailers, to hospitality and community services – to consider applying for a grant to help kick-start their operations, re-engage staff and bring people back into our city.”
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the NSW Government was committed to reactivating the Sydney CBD.
“When people think of Sydney, they should think of everything the outdoor lifestyle has to offer,” Mr Dominello said.
“We showed with the Alfresco Taskforce that we can move quickly to open up new dining and drinking opportunities heading into summer.”
The new grants follow the $72.5 million support package released by the City in March for small businesses, artists and the creative and community sectors impacted by the pandemic.
The City has also expanded to Surry Hills the popular Chairs in Squares program, waived fees for footway dining and health and building inspections, provided rental support for tenants and childcare services and brought forward $23 million of capital works to support construction in the city.
The Grants opened to businesses on 29 October and will close on 7 December and form part of the NSW Government’s $15 million contribution to the $20 million partnership with City of Sydney.
To find out more about the NSW Government’s $16 billion health and economic stimulus measures, please visit nsw.gov.au.

Time and cost savings, greater productivity, and increased flexibility are some of the benefits which could be realised by NSW workers and businesses after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the NSW Innovation and Productivity Council had this week released its NSW Remote Working Insights report, which unpacks the lessons of widespread remote working.
“This has been an incredibly tough time with huge upheaval and change for the NSW workforce. Thousands of jobs were lost through this crisis and those who kept working were put under immense pressure and had to adapt quickly. Many NSW workers and businesses were prompted to try remote working for the first time,” Mr Ayres said.
“The IPC’s report looks into what we learned from the experience, and how it could affect the future of work. While the NSW Government is now encouraging public servants to spend more time back in the office, we can expect long term changes to how our working week takes shape.”
IPC Member Steve Sammartino, an economist and futurist, said the report showed the pandemic has sparked a cultural shift on remote working, with many employees and businesses experiencing benefits and with more appetite to work remotely.
“The biggest benefit is the time we save from commuting, which on average is more than an hour a day. Reducing traffic congestion makes life better for everyone, even people who don’t work remotely,” Mr Sammartino said.
“We are also more productive when we work from home, with NSW remote workers
13 per cent more productive than when they work on-site.
“But COVID-19 pushed remote working to an unhealthy extreme, with a lot of work unable to be done remotely, it can get lonely, and collaboration is difficult.”
“In the future, NSW workers want the best of both worlds – a hybrid of remote and onsite work. Cities and offices will be buzzing again, and central business districts will be crucial for collaboration, innovation and consumption.”
The report surveyed 1,500 remote workers to find out about their experience of remote work during COVID-19, and what they want to do in the future.
The IPC also harnessed technology from Sydney-based artificial intelligence company Faethm to analyse the ‘remoteability’ of the NSW workforce, revealing what types of workers can work remotely, and to what extent.
Findings include:

• Half of the workforce can work remotely for at least two days a week, where only a small fraction did so previously.
• By working remotely, NSW workers save an average of 1 hour and 17 minutes per day from not commuting. Two days per week of remote work equates to over three extra weeks of annual leave, and about $860 in saved travel costs per year.
• Most who could work remotely reported higher productivity, but much work is not ‘remoteable’ (56 per cent), and collaboration and social isolation are key challenges for remote workers.
• NSW remote workers want a balance with two to three days of remote work per week.
• A ‘hybrid model’ could combine the best aspects of remote work with the benefits of offices for collaboration, team-building, and non-remoteable tasks.

For the full report, please visit https://www.treasury.nsw.gov.au/nsw-economy/nsw-innovation-and-productivity-council.

Hundreds more people experiencing homelessness will be helped off the street and into secure housing with a $29 million expansion of the NSW Government’s Together Home project, as part of the 2020-21 NSW Budget.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the additional funding brings the NSW Government’s total investment in the Together Home project to $65 million.
“We are helping break the cycle of homelessness and the upcoming Budget will continue our investment in crucial programs to help get people back on their feet and transform the lives of some of the most vulnerable in our society,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The Together Home project is delivering great social outcomes by providing people a place to call home while also supporting jobs in the community services sector at a pivotal time in our economic recovery from COVID.”
The program involves securing homes from the private rental market and delivers intensive tailored supports to meet the complex needs of the people in the program. An additional 400 dwellings, with wraparound supports, will be secured as part of this investment.
Together Home provides support to maintain a tenancy and services like case management, drug and alcohol services and mental health support.
More than 645 people previously sleeping rough across the state have secured housing since April. This includes 274 who are already receiving housing and wrap around support through the Together Home initiative.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said the support delivered would help put people on a pathway to housing independence.
“The needs of rough sleepers are often highly complex. This initiative is delivering life-changing outcomes by providing them with a roof over the head, combined with the wraparound support services to break the cycle of homelessness,” Mr Ward said.
“This initiative will address homelessness not only in the city, but right across our state, as we help people improve their health and wellbeing, and rebuild their lives.”
Together Home will be delivered in collaboration with community housing providers, specialist homelessness services and healthcare workers.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell today announced that the NSW Government is committing more than $150 million to install LED lights in public schools over the next two years.
”Retrofitting schools with energy efficient lights in classrooms, libraries, halls and administration areas delivers great outcomes for our schools. This program will benefit the environment while saving on energy costs every year,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We will target schools in communities across NSW that are yet to benefit from an infrastructure project.
“Importantly, this program will help stimulate local economies, supporting hundreds of jobs and building on the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan.”
Today’s announcement also includes the launch of the NSW Government’s Schools Renewable Energy Infrastructure Pilot Project, demonstrating a commitment to making our schools even more sustainable. The pilot project will assess the benefits and costs of large scale implementation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, batteries and demand response initiatives in NSW public schools.
“We are undertaking the single largest school building program with over $6.7 billion invested in 190 new and upgraded school projects. This announcement demonstrates our commitment to continuing to invest in our schools and make them even more sustainable,” Mr Perrottet said.
Minister Mitchell said the LED light replacement program and the solar PV pilot project will provide opportunities for local trades, job creation and support our schools to become more sustainable.
“We have already seen the success of these initiatives with a pilot at eight schools across regional and metropolitan areas delivering a reduction in energy bills,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Combined, these two significant initiatives further our commitment to exploring sustainable energy solutions for the future.
“Both of these programs will improve the sustainability of schools and take steps towards the NSW Government’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.”
Mr Perrottet and Ms Mitchell made the announcements at Croydon Public School, which is undergoing a $35 million upgrade with new classrooms and other facilities as part of the NSW Government’s record $6.7 billion investment.
Schools will be selected for the Schools Renewable Energy Infrastructure Pilot Project, as well as installation of LED lighting in schools, next year.

Thousands of jobs will be created as part of the toll-free Sydney Gateway motorway, with the NSW Government today announcing major milestones in the delivery of this vital connection to Sydney Airport, Port Botany and beyond.
Transport for NSW has awarded the design and construction contract to John Holland Seymour Whyte Joint Venture, while the project has also received planning approval from all levels of government.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Sydney Gateway connects the WestConnex St Peters Interchange, where the M4 and M8 will meet, to the Airport and Port Botany Precinct with the capacity to carry 100,000 vehicles a day and will be a game changer.
“The NSW Government is investing up to $2.6 billion into this project, which is one of the missing pieces in Sydney’s motorway network,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“As well as providing safer and more reliable journeys, Sydney Gateway will also deliver a significant employment and economic boost, supporting 1,000 direct jobs and 3,000 indirect jobs.
“These have been very challenging times for the aviation industry but Sydney Gateway continues to be a priority infrastructure project.
“This project is an essential part of the plan to support the long-term economic growth of Sydney’s airport and port, reducing travel times and improving access to employment areas.”
NSW Minister for Roads Andrew Constance said early work is expected to start within months.
“The project, with the wider network, will allow motorists to bypass 26 sets of traffic lights between Parramatta and Sydney Airport’s Domestic terminal,” Mr Constance said.
“The direct, efficient and safe route means we are also expecting Sydney Gateway to be used by half of all trucks travelling to Port Botany by 2026, handing Mascot streets back to the local community.”
Sydney Gateway will deliver travel time savings and transform the airport precinct for future growth.
Supported by WestConnex, drivers using Sydney Gateway will save up to:

• 30 minutes from the Inner West to the International Airport
• 22 minutes from Bankstown to the Domestic Airport
• 30 minutes from Silverwater to Port Botany
• 40 minutes on a trip from Parramatta to the Domestic Airport

Sydney Airport Chief Executive Officer Geoff Culbert said in what has been the worst year ever for aviation, the progress on Sydney Gateway is a real positive.
“This visionary project will be a game-changer for access to the airport, will generate much-needed jobs and, importantly, will benefit our community by giving local roads back to local residents.”
Transport for NSW Deputy Secretary Greater Sydney Elizabeth Mildwater said one major change to the project after community engagement is a new shared cycling and pedestrian path linking Alexandra Canal and the domestic terminals.
“Around half of all feedback we’ve received from the community has been about better links for cyclists in particular, so it’s great to see a new walking and cycling path will be built to improve access to the domestic terminals,” Ms Mildwater said.

A 3,000-strong legion of Service NSW staff will be trained to respond to customers in distress as the impact of drought, bushfires and COVID-19 continue to take a heavy toll on communities.
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the training program, which has been fast-tracked for Service NSW staff following the drought, bushfires and COVID-19, is part of a two-year investment of more than $1 million in suicide prevention training for staff working in systems outside of mental health.
“Service NSW has been at the forefront of the NSW Government’s response to COVID-19 and this training will help frontline staff to support people in distress in a compassionate and confident manner,” Mrs Taylor said.
“This is about building another layer of support outside of the health system by empowering frontline staff with the confidence and skills to reach out to people who are showing signs of distress as they go about their day-to-day lives.
“Like all frontline staff, the people at Service NSW have been doing an incredible job under pressure and this training will also help them recognise the importance of looking after their own mental health and learn ways to improve their mental fitness.”
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said this specialised suicide prevention will provide Service NSW team members with useful techniques in de-escalating an immediate situation and referral options for customers who may require more specialised support services.
“This year, Service NSW was enlisted to provide frontline support to citizens affected by the summer bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Dominello said.
“Service NSW staff have demonstrated time and again their ability to show empathy to customers in their time of need. This training will empower the Service NSW team to know what to do and where to go for help when dealing with customers who show signs of anguish and distress.
“During these conversations, Service NSW staff may sense when someone might be under extraordinary emotional pressure or mental stress and, in that moment, are well-placed to gently suggest ways to seek support.”
Service NSW employee Courtney Wilks said this training has already made a difference to how she engages with customers.
“I feel more confident in managing customers who are angry, distressed or anxious because I know how to help them in that moment and to reassure them that they are not alone.”
The training initiative is part of Towards Zero Suicides, a Premier’s Priority that is delivering an $87 million investment over three years in new suicide prevention initiatives.
If you, or someone you know, is thinking about suicide or experiencing a personal crisis or distress, please seek help immediately by calling 000 or one of these services:

• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
• NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511

The Netball NSW Board announces today the departure of longstanding Chief Executive Officer, Carolyn Campbell.
A trailblazer in the once male-dominated sports industry, Campbell joined Netball NSW as Game Development Manager in 2003 before being promoted to CEO in 2006.
In her time as CEO netball has seen exponential growth across the state and last year announced record registrations in excess of 115,000 members.
Perhaps her greatest achievement came in 2020 when she worked to navigate Netball NSW through the challenges which arose as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Campbell was front and centre of a campaign which looked to provide clear guidelines for a return-to- play path for not just netball, but all of community sport.
In recent years Campbell oversaw the planning, construction and subsequent relocation of the organisation’s headquarters to the purpose-built Netball Central in Sydney Olympic Park. As well as hosting many of Netball NSW’s top competitions, the venue has also been used to host high-profile international events including the 2015 Netball World Cup.
At elite level Campbell is the only CEO to have overseen championship success in all three eras of Australia’s National Netball League with the Swifts winning five Premierships in that time, most recently in 2019. She also played a key role in the formation of GIANTS Netball – a strategic partnership with AFL side GWS GIANTS – who reached a Grand Final in their inaugural season.
In addition, Campbell was instrumental in the securing of $50m in funding for a new roof on Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney Olympic Park’s Tennis Centre, which will double as a 10,000-seat home venue for both the Swifts and the GIANTS.
Netball NSW President Louise Sullivan expressed her thanks to Campbell on behalf of the Board:
“Carolyn has made an outstanding contribution as CEO over nearly 15 years and leaves netball in a very strong position from grassroots right through to the elite, “ she said.
“During 2020 in particular she provided strong leadership through a very intense and challenging period for all sport as we navigated the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Netball NSW acknowledges Carolyn on her many significant achievements for netball during a time of immense change and growth of women’s sport.”
“The Netball NSW Board accepts Carolyn’s decision to step away at this time to have a well-earned break before taking on her next opportunity. We wish her all the very best for the future.”
Netball NSW will shortly commence an external recruitment process for a new Chief Executive Officer while Campbell will continue to work with the organisation until the end of November.