Category: NSW News

A new Metro rail line, dam and motorway are among 10 major infrastructure projects which will be accelerated to keep people in jobs and the economy moving.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the projects were part of the new Priority Assessment Program that followed the successful Planning System Acceleration Program, established in April in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our emergency response to the impacts of COVID-19 was swift, decisive and effective in supporting the economy and health of our people,” Mr Stokes said.
“We used the impetus of the pandemic to shape a more efficient planning system, accelerating decisions on 101 projects in 24 weeks and creating opportunities for more than 50,000 jobs – almost double our original target.
“We also facilitated $25 billion in investment and the creation of more than four million square metres of open space and environmental conservation land.”
A similar fast-tracked assessment program of shovel-ready projects set up in Victoria has only generated $7.5 billion worth of investment since March.
Mr Stokes said the new program will prioritise longer-term, public and private projects earlier in the planning system and included a Metro station in Western Sydney, a new dam at Dungowan near Tamworth, and a new M12 Motorway to connect the M7 with Western Sydney Airport.
“These projects will need to be strategically important to the State or a region and provide considerable investment and public benefit. They have a timeline of up to 18 months, as opposed to the six-month ‘shovel-ready’ projects that were fast-tracked in the initial response to the pandemic,” Mr Stokes said .
“The projects will be accelerated through the planning system, targeting construction commencement in late 2021 or early 2022.
“We must keep up the momentum and move beyond short-term stimulus with projects that will deliver growth and jobs in the medium term and this second acceleration phase does just that.”
The first 10  projects to be considered by the program are State Significant Infrastructure projects and include:

• A new transmission connection between the Snowy 2.0 pumped hydro and generation project to the existing high voltage transmission network;
• An airport Metro line to service Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport and the Western Sydney Aerotropolis;
• An M12 Motorway dual-carriageway to connect the M7 Motorway with the Western Sydney Airport and The Northern Road;
• Four Inland Rail construction projects – Illabo to Stockinbingal, Narrabri to North Star (Phase 2), North Star to Border, Narromine to Narrabri;
• A new dam at Dungowan and better delivery pipeline linking to the Callala Water Treatment Plant in the Peel Valley;
• Two EnergyConnect projects (NSW – Western and Eastern Sections) – new 330 kV transmission lines connecting the NSW and South Australia transmission networks.

The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment has begun assessing these projects.
To find out more about the program, visit https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Priority-Assessment-Program

Communities across New South Wales have made recycling a regular part of their routine, with more than 4.5 billion bottles and cans returned for recycling through the NSW Government’s Return and Earn Scheme.
Environment Minister Matt Kean said it was particularly exciting to reach this massive milestone during National Recycling Week.
“In the first six months of this year, three out of every four eligible bottles and cans supplied in the State were returned through the scheme for recycling,” Mr Kean said.
“These drink containers are now destined for use as a sustainable alternative, instead of littering our streets and contributing to landfill.”
Return and Earn has contributed to an average 40 per cent annual reduction in drink container litter in New South Wales, with more than 420,000 tonnes of materials recycled since it launched in December 2017.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment James Griffin said National Recycling Week is the prime time to celebrate the State’s suite of recycling initiatives.
“Waste Less Recycle More is Australia’s largest waste and recycling initiative, with more than 3.6 million tonnes of waste diverted from landfill in NSW since it was introduced in 2012,” Mr Griffin said.
“To date, we have invested more than $800 million in grants for councils, community groups, industry and charities to roll-out more than 2,685 programs and projects that support businesses and communities to improve recycling across the State.
“These results really demonstrate the role each and every one of us can play in protecting our environment and practicing recycling.”
For more information visit www.returnandearn.org.au

Patients across the Mid North Coast will soon have faster access to emergency care at Port Macquarie Base Hospital, via a new $10 million helipad on its rooftop.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams today announced $10 million will be included in the 2020-21 NSW Budget to commence construction of a new helipad on the roof of the hospital’s emergency department to improve aeromedical services for local patients.
Mr Hazzard said the $10 million boost was another example of the NSW Government delivering on its promise to provide improved local health services in rural and regional areas, including the Mid North Coast.
“The new helipad will provide patients with the most direct route to the hospital’s emergency department and operating theatres when they need it most,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The $104 million expansion of Port Macquarie Base Hospital included foundations for a future rooftop helipad directly above the emergency department and this is now becoming a reality for the community.”
The state-of-the-art helipad is expected to receive between 50 and 60 retrievals a year.
Mrs Williams said the existing helipad had undergone improvements over the years to meet changing aircraft requirements, but the new helipad will be a vast improvement that will serve the community well, right into the future.
“This new helipad will give the people across the Mid North Coast region direct access to expert medical care,” Mrs Williams said.
“As an extra bonus, the site of the existing helipad will be transformed into additional hospital car parking for staff, patients and their families.”
During their visit to Port Macquarie Base Hospital today, Mr Hazzard and Mrs Williams met with local health staff and thanked them for their efforts during a challenging year.
Port Macquarie Base Hospital is a major referral hospital for the Hastings Macleay Clinical Network which provides specialist services to people in the Port Macquarie-Hastings and Kempsey local government areas.

The Lake Cathie community will have a new purpose-built ambulance station thanks to a NSW Government boost of $100 million to ambulance infrastructure in rural NSW.
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the initial $122 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration (RAIR) program had proved such a success the NSW Government will invest an additional $100 million in Stage 2.
“This funding boost will help NSW Ambulance deliver the most contemporary, efficient new ambulance stations to support our paramedics as they continue to deliver high quality emergency medical care to rural and regional communities,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The new ambulance station for Lake Cathie will be tailored to best meet the needs of the region, and will provide local paramedics with the optimal base to work from as they continue their vital job of helping community members in their hour of need.”
NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan said the extra boost to regional services was a welcome announcement for staff and local communities.
“It means our committed paramedics will be better equipped and positioned to do what they do best, help the people of NSW with top quality care when they need it most,” Dr Morgan said.
Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams said the new ambulance station will be a welcome addition to the community of Lake Cathie.
“The NSW Government’s commitment to ambulance infrastructure will support the key growth areas of Lake Cathie and Bonny Hills,” Mrs Williams said.
The initial RAIR program received $122 million, the single largest investment in regional NSW Ambulance’s 125-year history, with 24 communities across the state benefitting from an upgraded, rebuilt or entirely new ambulance station.
“This program has already proved an enormous success and NSW Ambulance will continue its promise to deliver the most up to date equipment and facilities to keep our communities and ambulance staff as safe as possible,” Mr Hazzard said.
The 2019-20 Budget for NSW Ambulance was more than $1 billion which included $27.1 million to employ an additional 221 paramedics and control centre staff to improve response times, reduce paramedic fatigue and support safety.

The Government will accelerate upgrade funding for five train stations under the Transport Access Program (TAP), taking the NSW Government’s total investment to more than $2.2 billion since 2011.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance today announced an additional $112 million as part of the 2020-21 NSW Budget for the upgrades and a further $80 million to progress future upgrades. This adds to the existing $885 million that was committed over four years in last year’s Budget.
“The projects funded include upgrades at Doonside, Turrella, Killara, Junee and Cootamundra which will create around 400 jobs. On top of that, Moss Vale and Tuggerah stations will also see planning commence,” Mr Constance said.
“The NSW Government is making public transport accessible for every single commuter in this state.
“Through TAP we’ve now delivered or begun work on more than 470 improvements to train stations, ferry wharves, car parks, interchanges and bike sheds.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said every dollar spent on upgrading the transport network would deliver better outcomes for commuters while also creating jobs.
“Investing in job-creating infrastructure projects like station upgrades will be a key focus in this year’s Budget,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We are continuing to invest record amounts in our public transport system because we know it makes a real difference in people’s everyday lives while crucially boosting jobs when we need it most.”
More than 70 stations have been upgraded through the Transport Access program since it began in 2011. Almost 90 per cent of customer journeys now begin from accessible locations.
“The funding not only means more commuters will benefit from lifts, ramps, footbridges and increased safety, but hundreds of people will be employed across engineering, construction and administration roles to bring the planned upgrades to life,” Mr Constance said.
“We won’t stop until every single station across NSW, both in metropolitan and regional areas, is accessible for everyone.”
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the NSW Government is committed to delivering safe, modern and accessible transport infrastructure across the state.
“We need to ensure everyone, including commuters in our regions, has the option to use public transport.
“These upgrades will make public transport available to some of our more vulnerable community members and can make the world of difference to their quality of life.”

The NSW Police Academy in Goulburn will benefit from a $60 million upgrade, as part of the 2020-21 NSW Budget, providing state-of-the-art training facilities for the NSW Police Force.
The capital works will increase service capacity, enhance training capabilities and deliver a long-term infrastructure and development strategy for the Academy.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said this funding boost is in addition to the NSW Government’s $583 million investment to introduce 1,500 extra police over four years to enhance community safety across NSW.
“The NSW Police Academy is currently the sole provider of police training and education to probationary constables of the NSW Police Force,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This investment is about giving our police recruits the best possible training, supported by modern and well-equipped facilities. These upgrades will also support jobs as we get the economy back on track post-Covid.”
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the increased number of new police officer positions has seen more recruits pass through the Police Academy.
“The announcement of 1,500 new police over four years was unprecedented. So far this year we have seen more than 800 recruits attest through the Academy.” Mr Elliott said.
“Upgrading the existing facilities at the Academy is critical to meet the needs of an enhanced and growing Police Force. As the nature of policing changes, so too must the training we provide our officers.
“The NSW Government will continue to back our men and women in blue. This capital investment will deliver a long-term infrastructure and development strategy for the Police Academy and improve the already world-class training all our State’s officers receive.”
Police Commissioner Mick Fuller APM welcomed today’s announcement saying the investment will enhance the NSW Police Force’s capability into the future.
“This year has highlighted that police play a critical role in supporting and making NSW a safer community – no matter what the nature of the crisis or operational need,” Commissioner Fuller said.
“All recruits are required to undertake training at the Goulburn Academy, and it is vital that we provide state-of-the-art training facilities to get the best trained officers out on the street.”
“The upgraded facility will help us better equip our officers with the skills they need to face modern day challenges of policing.”
Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said it will be a significant investment in the area.
“This will not only be a boost for our police force statewide, but will also be a boost for our local economy and provide jobs for the region,” Ms Tuckerman said.
“The Police Academy is an important part of our community and I look forward to seeing it receive the state-of-the-art upgrades it requires.”
The upgrade project at Goulburn Police Academy is expected to be finalised by 2023.

The first tracks have been laid on the $2.4 billion Parramatta Light Rail, marking a major milestone for the project.
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said the start of trackwork at Hawkesbury Road in Westmead showed significant progress had been made on the project.
“The Parramatta Light Rail is essential for future-proofing this growing precinct, one of the largest medical, education and research hubs in the southern hemisphere,” Mr Constance said
“We will see ‘turn up and go’ light rail services running through here in the next few years. That will mean a tram arriving every 7.5 minutes in peak periods. Along with Sydney Metro West and our train and bus services, it will help to cater for an estimated population of more than 40,000 staff and 30,000 students.”
“Not only are we future proofing public transport for the area, this project is supporting 5,000 jobs as we rebuild the post-COVID economy here in NSW,” Mr Constance said.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said more than $650 million would be included in the 2020-21 NSW Budget to deliver this first-class infrastructure project and drive job creation.
“This Budget continues to build on our record infrastructure pipeline, which is delivering projects that will not only ease the burden on commuters but will spearhead our economic recovery from the pandemic by creating and supporting jobs,” Mr Perrottet said.
The track installed at Westmead consists of 18-metre lengths of grooved rail weighing almost one tonne each, set in a concrete slab that covers drainage and utility services.
Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said the 48-metre track installation follows months of preparation including the relocation of underground utilities and the widening of Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, in association with the Westmead Redevelopment, one of the biggest health infrastructure projects in NSW.
“The community and local businesses will ultimately benefit from the convenient public transport option at their doorstep,” Dr Lee said.
“We thank the community for its patience during the recent road closures and night works, both of which have helped to minimise disruption in this busy medical and residential precinct.”
Member for Seven Hills Mark Taylor said Parramatta Light Rail would be a game changer for the entire region.
“It’s really exciting to see the start of track work here in the Westmead Health Precinct because it means we’re a step closer to this modern and convenient mode of public transport,” Mr Taylor said.
City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Bob Dwyer said this project will be key to connecting this critical health and education precinct with the Parramatta CBD.
“It’s exciting to see this city-changing project one step closer to completion,” Cr Dwyer said.
The Parramatta Light Rail will have a number of sections where it will be free from overhead wires to seamlessly integrate with the surrounding environment.
Track will continue to be installed in sections across the alignment as areas become available.
The 12-kilometre, $2.4 billion Parramatta Light Rail will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia, and is expected to commence services in 2023.

The NSW Government is paving the way for more women and mature workers to take up trades, with a $57.4 million commitment over four years for a new Trades Skills Pathways Centre in the 2020-21 NSW Budget.
The Centre will work with registered training organisations to help experienced but unqualified trade workers to attain certification. It will also look into delivering trades training in a flexible way, which would be attractive for many women and mature workers who are often balancing work and family responsibilities.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said this is a critical step towards addressing a skills shortage in NSW and boosting the number of mature workers and women in trades.
“We’re determined to ease skills shortages across the State to power our economy, and women and mature workers play a vital role in that,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The traditional apprenticeship model is not for everyone. Many workers acquire these same skills on the job, without formal training. This Centre will assist these workers to fill knowledge gaps and earn a nationally recognised qualification.”
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said we are moving in the right direction to attract mature workers and women to trades, but there is more to be done.
“This will be a ground breaking NSW innovation that will go beyond traditional apprenticeships and traineeships to capture workers who may have missed the opportunity to obtain formal skills,” he said.
“There is a wealth of experience and potential on construction sites right across NSW that is currently going unnoticed. We want all those workers to reach their potential.”
Minister for Regional Youth and Women Bronnie Taylor said the program would boost the prospects of young workers and women in rural areas.
“The Centre will ensure that young people in our regions with invaluable hands-on experience will be guided through which transferable qualifications they need to open the door to even greater career opportunities,” said Mrs Taylor.

The NSW Government is investing more than $700 million in this year’s Budget to expand the digital capabilities of the State and build new and flexible ways of delivering services everywhere from classrooms and living-rooms to courtrooms.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the funding formed part of the Government’s $1.6 billion Digital Restart Fund and will be used to boost regional and remote education improve cyber security, enhance NSW Courts and enhance ePlanning.
“COVID-19 has shown us just how important it is to have the digital infrastructure and the skills to match for a modern flexible society,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Streamlining and enhancing our digital capabilities improves efficiencies, makes our lives simpler and ultimately saves everyone time and money.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the funding was a down-payment on the future economic growth of NSW.
“The future belongs to the innovative and bold, and this investment will create jobs make doing business with Government easier and enhance reform,” Mr Perrottet said.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said today’s announcement kept NSW at the front of the line when it came to digital government.
“NSW is the most digitally advanced jurisdiction in Australia and this funding will empower us to enter a new frontier,” Mr Dominello said.
“Whether it’s transforming the way we teach children in regional and remote schools, or bolstering our cyber security systems, this investment sends the community a strong message that we are putting the customer at the centre of everything we do.”
A key component of the $700 million funding contained in the upcoming Budget is $366 million to close the digital gap in schools in rural and remote areas.
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said the funding is supporting the Government’s commitment to regional education.
“I want every student to have the best access to education, and this investment in the digital capacity of regional schools makes that possible,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The uplift will provide regional teachers with the tools, training and support they need to integrate digital resources into the classroom.
“Through upskilling the workforce and upgrading school technology, we will lift the educational opportunities for the 210,000 students who call regional NSW home.”
Attorney General Mark Speakman said thousands of people who come into contact with the NSW Justice system each year will benefit from an investment of more than $54 million to bring the best of 21^st century innovation into our courts.
“This investment will revolutionise court processes in NSW, providing a single digital point of contact for court users, bringing more proceedings online and digitising court files to help the move towards a paperless environment,” Mr Speakman said.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said funding for ePlanning would reduce assessment timeframes, reduce red tape and enhance productivity.
“Technology can help take a lot of frustration and time out of tiresome processes, and our challenge is to ensure we continue to improve all our systems,” Mr Stokes said.
The NSW Government’s digital investment initiatives include:

• $240 million over three years for cyber security maturity uplift, including an initial $20 million ($60 million over three years) investment in Cyber Security NSW, to help boost cyber security across agencies and departments;
• $366 million over two years to retool regional schools, upgrade learning spaces, upskill teachers and give students cutting edge distance education platforms and digital education resources;
• $54.5 million for the Digital Courts Reform project which will help to digitise courts and tribunals, enhance efficiency, improve customer experience, reduce technology risk and improve business continuity and build data capability;
• $45.8 million for ePlanning Phase 4 to be delivered over the next three years.
  Phase 4 will continue to enhance the quality and reliability of planning data, working to reduce assessment timeframes, cut red tape and costs for business;
• $17.5 over two years (including $13.6 million in 2020-2) for the Assured Revenue program to make the lodgement and collection of revenue simpler.

The NSW Government is urging venues to put the safety of customers and staff first and have a system for digital registration such as a QR code that records patrons’ names and contact details in place by 23 November, or risk facing penalties.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said digital registration, including QR codes, is fast, accurate and will give customers more confidence during a pandemic.
“Any business that is serious about safety should be using digital registration, such as a QR code or other method of capturing contact details electronically. There are no excuses,” Mr Dominello said.
“We can’t respond to a pandemic with paper. We must be fast and precise and digital is the best way forward.
“We have to move away from the walk-in culture to the check-in culture. This is about building resilience as we continue to open up as safely as possible heading into summer.
“The overwhelming majority of businesses do the right thing but inspectors have told us that some just don’t get it and have inadequate check-in systems.
“Complacency is our greatest threat and any business that thinks they are above the law will face serious penalties.
“I strongly encourage businesses to download a free NSW Government QR code and for customers to use the COVID Safe Check In through the Service NSW app.
“So far more than 16,000 businesses have used a NSW Government QR code and 94 per cent of customers have given the COVID Safe Check In the thumbs up.”
Scanning a NSW Government QR code captures the business name, address and the customer’s contact details. The information is securely stored for 28 days for the sole purpose of contact tracing and can be instantly accessed by NSW Health in the event of an outbreak. After this time, it will be destroyed.
For customers who do not have access to a smartphone, venues are encouraged to record their contact details and time of entry using a digital device.
If there is an internet outage, venues can manually acquire details digitally, for example in Excel.
MEDIA: William Sparling │ 0408 576 636
Digital registration will be mandatory for the following venues from 23 November:

• Amusement Centres
• Aquariums
• Business premises that are used for auction houses, other than clearing houses
• Business premises that are used for nail salons, beauty salons, hairdressing salons, waxing salons, tanning salons, spas, tattoo parlours and massage parlours
• Crematoria
• Drive-in cinemas
• Entertainment facilities
• Hospitality venues:
  • Casinos (all persons entering the premises)
  • Food and drink premises (all persons consuming food or drink on the premises, plus staff and contractors)
  • Micro-breweries, small distilleries holding a drink on-premises authorisation under the Liquor Act 2007 or cellar door premises (all persons consuming food or drink on the premises, plus staff and contractors)
  • Pubs, small bars and registered clubs (all persons entering the premises, but not if they are entering the premises solely for the purpose of collecting food or drink to consume off the premises)
• Function centres
• Funeral homes
• Information and education facilities (other than libraries)
• Party buses
• Properties operated by the National Trust or the Historic Houses Trust
• Public swimming pools
• Recreation facilities (indoor)
• Recreation facilities (major)
• Sex on premises venues
• Sex services premises
• Strip clubs
• Vessels used for hosting functions or for commercial tours
• Zoological parks and reptile parks

Events

• Corporate events
• Funerals and memorial services and gathering after funerals and memorial services
• Wedding services and gatherings after wedding services