Category: NSW News

The NSW Government has today launched a whole-of-government initiative to better support families that are navigating the first 2000 days of their child’s life.
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said the Brighter Beginnings initiative focuses on this crucial period from conception to age 5, across the breadth of government services.
Brighter Beginnings aims to ensure children in NSW have the best start in life. Crucial to achieving this goal is simplifying and improving the way families access information and services, through a number of parenting life navigator tools and a whole of government web page.
This provides a one stop shop of resources for families when expecting a baby and will support them throughout their child’s early life. This includes keeping track of health and development milestones, accessing financial support, finding early childhood education and care, starting primary school, returning to work and emotional and legal support for parents.
“We know 90% of a child’s brain development occurs before the age of five, and there is a wealth of research on how early experiences in the first 2000 days of life can have flow-on impacts in every decade of life,” said Minister Mitchell.
“We also know this is a challenging and often overwhelming time for new parents.
“Families have told us it can be difficult to access and navigate the support available, from pregnancy to school age and beyond, so we want to make this journey as simple as possible to ensure children are getting the best start in life.
“To achieve this, we are working across government agencies to improve information for families, connect universal services and provide targeted support for those facing complex disadvantage.”
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said Brighter Beginnings would help improve the life outcomes of vulnerable children and young people.
“Our Government is focused on keeping families together by intervening early, with  evidence-based services, when issues arise,” Mr Ward said.
“This initiative will help parents be better parents, by giving them access to the skills and knowledge they need to navigate the first 2,000 days of their child’s life.”
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the initiative is another example of the NSW Government using technology to make life easier for families.
“The first years of a child’s life are among the most special and memorable for parents but also the most stressful, which is why a digital diary is needed to help manage the important issues,” Mr Dominello said.
“We’re putting families front and centre of this initiative by saving them time and hassle, so they can spend more time on their newborns.”
Brighter Beginnings: the first 2000 days of life initiative launches 30 October 2020 with a virtual conference that will bring together government leaders, policy makers, leading experts and researchers. The event will explore the importance of the first 2000 days of life from health, wellbeing and education perspectives, and opportunities for governments and service providers to work together for improved citizen experiences and life outcomes.

Taxi drivers and passengers can now enjoy a safer journey, thanks to the Service NSW app’s QR code check-in going live across the taxi industry.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the rollout of the technology among Premier, Legion, GM Cabs and some regional operators is a big win for the community and follows a successful trial.
“I commend the taxi industry for its leadership and putting the safety of drivers and passengers first. It’s so important drivers download the Service NSW QR code and encourage passengers to check-in with the app,” Mr Dominello said.
“Just like checking into a café or restaurant, passengers simply scan the taxi’s unique QR code using the camera on their phone and follow the prompts. It’s free, easy to use, paperless and secure.
“During a pandemic we can’t drop the ball. Taxis work at the coal face and have a critical role to play in protecting community safety.
“This is a great example of being Covid smart as well as Covid safe. The check-in through the Service NSW app is powerful technology and any industry that is serious about safety should be using it.”
The check-in service automatically captures the date, time and location of the check-in, and securely stores them for 28 days for the sole purpose of contract tracing in the event of an outbreak.
Service NSW’s check-in service has been an overwhelming success, with about 13,500 businesses already downloading the QR code, and more than one million check-ins so far, with 94 per cent giving it the thumbs up.
Taxis, hire cars and ride share services in NSW can currently register as COVID Safe on nsw.gov.au to provide reassurance to customers they’re minimising the risk of transmission.

NSW has today welcomed 264 new firefighters across the state with the latest recruits graduating from the Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Emergency Services Academy at Orchard Hills.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott and FRNSW Commissioner Paul Baxter welcomed the new recruits, who include a former professional rally car co-driver, a martial arts instructor, a former dairy farm manager, youth worker and a number of teachers.
Mr Elliott congratulated the recruits for embarking on a rewarding career that will ultimately put them on the frontline when it comes to protecting their communities.
“The men and women who graduate as part of this class have already shown that they have what it takes to protect the irreplaceable,” Mr Elliott said.
“These Fire and Rescue personnel begin their careers at a time when our frontline workers have never been more necessary, and they know they will have the full support of the NSW Government throughout their new careers.”
This month, the NSW Government announced a $192 million investment in response to the independent NSW Bushfire Inquiry, including $36 million for a new first responder mental health programs that will support all emergency services, as well as new FRNSW tankers and personal protective clothing.
FRNSW Commissioner Paul Baxter said the graduates have trained with passion and dedication to become part of the FRNSW family.
“These recruits have shown they have the diverse skills, capabilities and talents required to undertake the varied work that our firefighters do – from educating the community about fire safety and providing emergency medical care to responding to fires, natural disasters and hazmat incident,” Commissioner Baxter said.
“They’ve been trained to be prepared for anything and I know they will uphold the high standards of integrity, courage and professionalism expected of a FRNSW firefighter.”
You can find a full list of graduates here.

The $1 billion Nepean Hospital redevelopment has marked a major milestone, as the NSW Government announced Stage 2 of the project will be brought forward by two years.
The fast-tracking of the project was announced at a topping out ceremony of Nepean Hospital’s 14-storey tower, which reached its highest point of construction today.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the NSW Government’s $1 billion investment in Nepean Hospital will future-proof health services in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains for decades to come.
“The redeveloped Nepean Hospital will be a gamechanger for the region, providing new world-class health facilities including an expanded emergency department, birthing suites and neonatal intensive care unit,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Bringing the project forward by two years will fast-track economic recovery in Western Sydney and create thousands of local jobs – both essential drivers of the COVID-19 Recovery Plan.”
The concept design for Stage 2 was unveiled today, providing a preview of the new Intensive Care Unit, in-centre renal dialysis unit, medical imaging and nuclear medicine services, more beds, staff education and training facilities, community health services and a new Front of House for the hospital.
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said Stage 2 is right on the heels of Stage 1, which is being completed on time and within budget despite the enormous challenges faced this year during the pandemic.
“We’re on track to complete Stage 1 of Nepean Hospital at the end of 2021 – a tremendous outcome for Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains –  and now the community can expect the full world-class package two years ahead of schedule,” Mr Hazzard said.
“This $1 billion project will place vastly enhanced health services on the community’s doorstep and support our fantastic staff as they continue to deliver their very best care to increasing numbers of patients.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the contemporary health facility would not only help drive economic recovery but would be another drawcard to the rapidly growing region.
“This major project will generate thousands of jobs and deliver the very best healthcare available to the community, making the region an even more appealing place to live and work,” Mr Ayres said.
Member for Mulgoa, Tanya Davies said the acceleration of the Nepean Hospital Redevelopment by two years is further proof Western Sydney is a key priority for the NSW Government.
“The fast-tracking of this project is a welcome boost to the communities of Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains who have been doing it extremely tough during the pandemic,” Mrs Davies said.
Fast-tracked funding will allow Stage 2 enabling and fit-out works to start earlier while construction for Stage 1 is still underway. This will also allow for a much smoother transition into the main works construction for Stage 2.
To register your interest in providing input into the design of Stage 2 of the Nepean Redevelopment visit www.nepeanredevelopment.health.nsw.gov.au.

Families in northern NSW are set to benefit from a brand new integrated education campus in Murwillumbah, the first of its kind for regional NSW, under a plan unveiled today by Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell.
Mr Barilaro said this multi-million-dollar investment demonstrates the NSW Government’s commitment to world-class education in regional communities.
“No matter where you live in this state, we are providing quality educational facilities to ensure our students get the best start in life,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Quality educational facilities, like the brand new campus coming soon to Murwillumbah, ensure families who live in regional and rural areas can remain there and children don’t have to move to metropolitan areas to receive a first-rate education.”
Ms Mitchell said she was delighted to announce that the NSW Government will develop an innovative new Kindergarten to Year 12 education campus for Murwillumbah.
“This incredible project will provide the community with an architecturally designed and built-for-purpose primary and secondary school conveniently located on one campus,” Ms Mitchell said.
The new Murwillumbah Education Campus will bring together students from Murwillumbah Public School, Murwillumbah East Public School, Murwillumbah High School and Wollumbin High School at the Murwillumbah High School site, which will be completely redeveloped.
The Deputy Premier and Ms Mitchell were today joined by Member for Tweed Geoff Provest and Duty MLC for the North Coast Ben Franklin at Murwillumbah High School.
“The new education campus will provide Murwillumbah with the modern, multi-purpose education infrastructure it deserves,” Mr Provest said.
Duty MLC for North Coast Ben Franklin said North Coast students will benefit from access to contemporary facilities that support the delivery of high quality educational opportunities and experiences.
“By ensuring a seamless journey for students from Kindergarten to Year 12, this education campus will set a new standard for future public school infrastructure in rural and country areas,” Mr Franklin said.
Plans for the campus also include partnering with the local community to potentially offer joint-use facilities, as well building ties with industry to offer high school students enhanced vocational training and support improved pathways to employment.
The new campus will also benefit the wider community with possible joint use of sporting, creative and health and wellbeing facilities.
“The new Murwillumbah Education Campus will truly be at the heart of the community, and I look forward to seeing it take shape over the next few years,” Ms Mitchell said.
The project’s next steps include planning and design. Community engagement will be ongoing throughout the duration of the project.
The NSW Government is investing $6.7 billion over four years to deliver more than 190 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.

Hundreds of building projects will commence at schools across regional NSW with the announcement of the Regional Renewal Program.
The new $120 million stimulus program, part of the State’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan, will provide a government co-contribution of between 50 per cent to 80 per cent for regional school capital improvement projects including covered outdoor learning areas, science facilities, toilet blocks, administration buildings and canteens.
The NSW Government will partner with school communities to identify projects at each school, providing work for local businesses.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the program will target local contractors and suppliers to ensure that the impact of this stimulus is felt through the regions.
“Our students in the bush deserve access to the best quality facilities and I know school communities across regional NSW have been working hard to raise funds for these additional projects. The Regional Renewal Program  will see the NSW Government top-up the funds for these projects to be delivered,” Mr Barilaro said.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the program will accelerate projects nominated by school communities and help create local jobs.
“The funding will directly benefit local communities, boost businesses and create and support hundreds of jobs across regional NSW,” Mr Perrottet said.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the Government is committed to making sure local communities have access to modern facilities to support learning outcomes.
“Our regional schools have plenty of projects that they have been fundraising for, and I’m excited that this program will give them the additional funding to see projects realised,” Ms Mitchell said.
Eligible schools will be contacted by the Department of Education about the program.

The NSW Government has announced funding of $7.4 million as a first step to begin State-based actions to support the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Don Harwin confirmed this new investment at the 400^th meeting of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC), held at Broken Hill.
“This investment demonstrates the NSW Government’s commitment to achieving a critical priority under the Closing the Gap National Agreement – strengthening the capacity of Aboriginal Community Controlled organisations,” Mr Harwin said.
“It is the NSW contribution to a national joint funding pool targeting capacity and expansion of the Aboriginal Community Controlled organisations in the key sectors of early childhood, housing, disability and health.”
The National Agreement on Closing the Gap sets out a new way of working through partnership between Aboriginal peaks and organisations, including NSWALC, and Government.  The Agreement commits parties to jointly develop a jurisdictional plan by July 2021 that will set out how NSW will meet new targets and reform goals.
“This investment represents NSW Government commitment to a new way of doing business under Closing the Gap, working with Aboriginal organisations in partnership with sharing decision making, authority and leadership” Mr Harwin said.

The NSW Government has today honoured its commitment to residents of the Clarence Valley by announcing funds to progress planning for the redevelopment of Grafton Base Hospital during this term of Government.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro joined Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis outside the hospital in Grafton to announce planning for the hospital can now get underway.
“Accessible quality health care is essential when living in rural and regional NSW and today’s announcement means we can commence planning work for Grafton Base Hospital, as promised to the people of the Clarence Valley,” Mr Barilaro said.
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the future redevelopment of Grafton Base Hospital will support the health needs and wellbeing of the communities and the healthcare workforce across the Clarence Valley for years to come.
“The future redevelopment will expand a range of clinical services to support timely healthcare, ensuring Grafton Base Hospital can cater for the future health needs of the community and surrounds,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Detailed planning and consultation with clinicians and the community will ensure we get it right for the redeveloped Grafton Hospital.”
Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis said he is thrilled to have the Deputy Premier and Leader of the Nationals in Grafton to deliver this news because planning work means the community is a big step closer to improved health services.
“Not only do we need to get the infrastructure and facilities right, we also need to look at the future range of health services and health workforce to best serve the residents of the Clarence Valley,” Mr Gulaptis said.
The NSW Government has invested more than $10 billion to build, upgrade and redevelop hospitals and health facilities across the state since 2011. A further $10.1 billion has been committed from 2020 to continue current projects, and start the upgrade or building of a further 29 hospitals and health facilities across the State.
These investments ensure local communities can continue to receive the best possible healthcare closer to home.  It also supports the local economy, including: opportunities for local businesses to be involved employment opportunities for skilled trades and related professionals

As the state marks three million COVID-19 tests since January, the NSW Government is calling on the community to continue to work together to fight the deadly virus.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said reaching three million tests was a major milestone in the State’s fight against COVID-19.
“I want to thank everyone in NSW who has come forward to be tested – three million COVID-19 tests is an incredible result,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“As we ease restrictions, it is critical that we maintain our high rates of testing which has been central to our success in limiting the spread of the virus and keeping NSW open.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard warned that while recent easing of restrictions is very welcome, it comes with risks and it is critical everyone keeps getting tested.
“This is a stealthy virus and if we give it an inch, it will take a mile and undo a lot of good work,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The community response to COVID-19 has been fantastic and I thank the people of NSW for their efforts and sacrifices during the past nine months, which have put us in a position where we have been able to ease restrictions.
“We hope to be able to continue to ease restrictions in the weeks and months ahead, but this depends on us being successful in minimising community transmission.”
As at 8pm on 26 October 2020, 3,000,641 COVID-19 tests had been performed on 2,247,101 people in NSW. Of those people tested, 63.7 per cent had a single test and 36.3 per cent had more than one test, with 1.16 per cent having more than five tests.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said it was critical that people continue to come forward for testing and practice COVID-safe behaviours when out and about and catching up with family and friends.
“When we have high numbers of people continuing to get tested, that allows us to detect cases in the community earlier and prevent onward transmission,” Dr Chant said.
“Get tested at the first sign of even the mildest of symptoms, wash your hands regularly, physically distance and wear a mask when using public transport and in places where you can’t physically distance.
“We have been able to get the recent clusters under control with the support of the community, but their emergence shows that the risk of a resurgence of cases in NSW remains very real.”
Restrictions eased recently by the NSW Government include:

• 30 people can now gather outdoors in public spaces (previously the rule was 20 people). It remains a maximum of 20 people in households;
• There can be 30 customers per booking, and 30 customers per table, at hospitality venues (previously the rule was a maximum of 10 customers);
• Corporate functions of up to 300 people can now be held at any appropriate premises, including at restaurants, subject to a COVID safety plan (previously it was just function centres);

• Religious gatherings/places of worship (excluding weddings and funerals) can have up to 300 people, subject to a COVID-19 safety plan; and

• Gyms are now only required to have a COVID-19 safety marshal if there are more than 20 people in the gym at one time.

Additionally, from 1 December 2020, the number of people who can attend weddings will be increased to 300 people subject to the four square metre rule indoors and two square metre rule outdoors. This will allow people to make plans and book venues knowing the capacity ahead of time.
There are more than 300 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW. To find your nearest clinic visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics or contact your GP. Most people receive their results within 24 hours.

Short-term rental accommodation hosts, guests, letting agents and online booking platform operators will soon be subject to strict new laws with a mandatory Code of Conduct for the industry to begin in December.
Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Kevin Anderson said the new Code, which was released today, includes clear guidance and obligations for hosts and guests centred on minimum standards of good behaviour.
Also included are formal avenues for complaints and dispute resolution and the ability for NSW Fair Trading to ban problematic hosts or anti-social guests from booking short-term rentals for five years.
“The popularity of short-term rentals has exploded in recent years and is now a $30 billion a year industry,” Mr Anderson said.
“While the sector has gone from strength to strength, what has been missing is a clear set of rules to protect the rights of both hosts, guests and neighbours and which put mutual respect front and centre.
“The NSW Government is introducing these laws as part of our broad reform of the sector. Together, they will ensure the minority of participants who are giving the sector a bad name are removed and the short-term rental sector is improved for hosts, guests and communities.”
Mr Anderson said a key feature of the new laws was the establishment of an exclusion register, which will introduce a ‘two strikes and you’re out’ policy for unruly guests.
“We have all heard the horror stories of hosts doing the wrong thing or the house guests from hell behaving disgracefully in holiday rentals,” Mr Anderson said.
“If you are going to carry on like that in someone else’s house or neighbourhood, be warned – under these new rules you will be banned, and for a very long time.
“The standards are enforceable, with powers available to NSW Fair Trading Commissioner to take disciplinary action, including penalties and exclusion from the industry for repeat offenders.”
All participants, including booking platforms, will be required to comply with the Code and with directions and requests from the Commissioner.
The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment is also developing a government-run premises register and state environmental planning policy for short-term rental accommodation which will round out the reforms to this sector and launch in 2021.
The Code of Conduct, which can be viewed here, will come into force on 18 December 2020.
For additional information, please visit the Fair Trading website.