Category: NSW News

The concept design for the new, seven-storey Acute Services Building for John Hunter and John Hunter’s Children’s hospitals has been unveiled, marking a milestone for the NSW Government’s $780 million health precinct.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct would drive significant economic growth in the Greater Newcastle region, generating jobs in construction and health.
“John Hunter hospital is one of the busiest hospitals in NSW and this investment will provide enhanced health facilities ensuring the region has a world-class hospital to cater to its growing population,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Construction of the precinct will support more than 3,000 jobs over the life of the project helping stimulate the economy, a key component of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 recovery plan.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the redevelopment will significantly increase critical care capacity, with a 60 per cent increase in the Intensive Care Unit capacity and almost 50 per cent more theatres, interventional suites and procedural spaces.
“The Precinct will drive innovative collaborations between the health, education and research sectors, ultimately improving patient outcomes for communities in the Hunter region,” Mr Hazzard said.
The new Acute Services Building will include:

• A new emergency department;
• Critical care services (adult and paediatric);
• Operating theatres, interventional and imaging services;
• Birthing suite and inpatient maternity unit;
• Neonatal intensive care and special care nursery;
• Larger and redeveloped inpatient units; and
• Rooftop helipad.

Stage 1 of an interim Emergency Department expansion has also been completed early as part of NSW Government’s COVID-19 response.
“I’m also pleased the Emergency Department expansion was delivered five months ahead of schedule, providing an additional 12 dedicated paediatric treatment areas and additional capacity to deal with the pandemic, with Stage 2 scheduled for completion early next year,” Mr Hazzard said.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Catherine Cusack, said the new Acute Services Building will serve the Hunter region for many years to come.
“This is a great opportunity to share the future vision of the Precinct, which will transform health care in the Hunter, bringing expanded, enhanced health services closer to home,” Ms Cusack said.
Early works on the new Acute Services Building are expected to commence in 2021 with main works construction scheduled to commence in 2022.

The NSW Government and City of Sydney Council today announced they would provide up to $20 million in joint funding to boost the CBD economy, support businesses and create jobs across the vital summer period.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government will commit up to $15 million and Council would provide a further $5 million towards a range of initiatives to encourage more people to visit, eat, shop and enjoy the CBD.
“The pandemic forced the CBD into a COVID hibernation and it’s vital we revive our use of the city for work and pleasure, to keep people in jobs and businesses in business,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This summer will be a testing time for many businesses but this funding will help breathe life back into the city and get our economy moving again.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the NSW Government’s recent Summer Summit highlighted the need to relax restrictions and red tape to make it easier for businesses to draw people back into the city.
“Having more outdoor dining and entertainment areas across the CBD is an obvious drawcard in bringing people back into the city. The planning system is getting out of the way in order to create more seamless and streamlined processes that save business owners time and effort,” Mr Stokes said.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the summer lifeline would be extended with safety front of mind.
“It’s critical we show flexibility in how we operate as a city this summer and we’ll be doing that in line with COVID public health orders,” Mr Dominello said.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said council wanted to ensure city businesses don’t just survive, they thrive in the long term.
“It is important that we move quickly to deliver a clear plan for activating the city for summer. The City and the NSW Government are working together on a shared vision for transforming Sydney into a 24-hour alfresco city over summer and
beyond,” Ms Moore said.
“To help Sydney get back on its feet we’re going to set up outdoor performance stages in key city locations, fund live music and performance in venues, bars and restaurants, and deliver a summer of outdoor dining.”
With the start of summer 59 days away, the Government and Council are now working through a range of funding options to support initiatives that could include:

• allowing more flexible outdoor dining, drinking and seating arrangements for
• established businesses;
• will consider entertainment stages across the CBD, in areas such as Martin Place;
• enhancing promotion of cultural institutions and allowing them to stay open late;
• increasing promotion and advertising to attract people into the Sydney CBD;
• exploring COVID Safe creative ideas such as hosting outdoor cultural events;
• recruiting renowned local artists to perform in dining areas and entertainment
• precincts;
• more flexible public transport options.

A significant part of Sydney’s harbour front has been given back to the community as a new pier, cove and foreshore boardwalk at Sydney’s iconic Barangaroo is now open to the public.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said opening up the foreshore and new Watermans Cove is a fundamental part of Barangaroo’s transformation into a world-class, waterfront precinct.
“It is with great excitement that we can release this stunning piece of the Sydney Harbour foreshore for the people of NSW to enjoy,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Watermans Cove is a completely public space, and with steps down towards the water, it’s an incredible place for residents, workers and tourists to relax and take in the sights of our beautiful city.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said Barangaroo is the most important urban renewal project to happen in Australia in decades, transforming a once neglected and inaccessible area of the city into a dynamic cultural, residential, business and retail hub.
“Waterman’s Cove delivers more than a hectare of permanent and priceless waterfront parkland for the citizens of Sydney,” Mr Stokes said.
“It demonstrates our commitment to ensure more than half of the 22 hectare Barangaroo precinct is public open space for everyone to enjoy.
“Our vision is for public space to link our harbour all the way from Rozelle Bay to Woolloomooloo Bay.  Waterman’s Cove liberates one of the final missing links in making this vision a reality”.
Watermans Cove and the foreshore was designed and delivered by Lendlease and Crown Resorts in partnership with the NSW Government and will provide space for events, celebrations and entertainment as well as leisure activities by the water’s edge.
Lendlease CEO Steve McCann said Barangaroo South was undoubtedly one of the most rewarding projects the company had been involved in.
“The scale of our ambition, in particular to long term sustainability, was challenging. From the outset Lendlease and the NSW government shared a vision to create a sustainable world-class place where the community – workers, residents and visitors – thrive.
“We’ve hit the mark at Barangaroo, delivering Australia’s first carbon-neutral precinct and returning more than half of this previously inaccessible space to the people of Sydney.”
Crown Resorts Chairman Helen Coonan said visiting the new precinct would soon be a must-do for anyone wanting to experience the best that Sydney has to offer.
“The new Watermans Cove and foreshore boardwalk will provide Sydney families and visitors with another amazing experience on our beautiful harbour. We are so proud of the final outcome and that Crown could play a part in making this happen.” Ms Coonan said.
Watermans Cove is also home to over 80 newly planted trees and a state-of-the-art marine system developed between Lendlease and Sydney Institute of Marine Science to provide an environment for marine life to live and grow.

The south-western Sydney community will access world-class healthcare in the $25 million redeveloped Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital Emergency Department, now open to patients.
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard and Member for East Hills Wendy Lindsay today visited the Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital to see first-hand the expanded emergency department, which will deliver enhanced medical care to residents of south-western Sydney, one of the fastest growing populations in the state.
“This multi-million dollar upgrade is a fantastic boost for south-western Sydney, ensuring world-class healthcare at the community’s doorstep, and allowing more patients to be treated more quickly for better health outcomes,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Patients will have a better experience thanks to additional treatment spaces, a faster journey through the emergency department, and potentially a shorter stay in hospital.”
The emergency department redevelopment includes additional adult and paediatric treatment spaces, a dedicated waiting area, enhanced mental health care, additional resuscitation beds, increased capacity in the short-stay unit and a layout designed to better streamline the flow of patients.
Ms Lindsay said the project is evidence of the NSW Government’s commitment to enhancing healthcare services for the people of south-western Sydney.
“As our south-western Sydney population continues to boom, so do the health needs of our diverse community. This safe, modern health facility will provide enhanced emergency care to improve our community’s health outcomes,” Ms Lindsay said.
The $25 million Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital Emergency Department redevelopment is a combination of a new build and upgrade of the existing emergency department space.
The NSW Government has announced $1.3 billion to build a new Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital on a new greenfield site, with planning and site investigations underway. Also underway in south-western Sydney is the $632 million stage two redevelopment of Campbelltown Hospital and $740 million redevelopment of Liverpool Hospital.

Local businesses are driving construction of the Sydney Football Stadium with almost $300 million worth of contracts awarded to 25 NSW based suppliers and contractors so far.
Acting Minister for Sport, Geoff Lee said this project has supported many small, medium and large enterprise across NSW and will continue to do so until its completion in 2022.
“The Sydney Football Stadium redevelopment project has been a key economic generator during this pandemic, boosting the NSW construction industry with direct and indirect jobs as well as the purchase of materials from suppliers across our state,” Mr Lee said.
“It’s another exciting milestone to see the start of in-factory fabrication of the stadium roof at S&L Steel in Western Sydney. The team will use over 4000 individual pieces of steel to build this significant part of the stadium,” Mr Lee said.
“They are a family owned and managed business and we’re pleased to be supporting jobs in the area.
The team at Evergreen Turf in North West Sydney will supply the grass for the project and associated services at Sydney Football Stadium, generating 200 direct and indirect jobs. Evergreen have pioneered revolutionary turf systems for stadiums around the world.
“It’s fantastic to meet-up with our stadium suppliers and see their hard work in action. I’m really proud to see this project supporting so many people, despite the challenges of this pandemic.”
John Holland General Manager, Matthew Bourne said work on site remained on schedule.
“We’re pleased to have been able to operate in accordance with the COVID-19 regulations, to keep this important project going,” said Mr Bourne.
“In coming months we’ll also see the construction of the walls and shell of the building, so it will really start to take shape.
“We look forward to delivering this remarkable Sydney icon for many spectacular sporting battles here in NSW, and in time for the 2022 NRL Grand Final.”
Approximately 2000 tonnes of structural steel will be required for the new stadium’s roof.
Owner of S&L Steel, Pablo Santos, said this project was of special interest to the family.
“We are very excited to be fabricating the steel for the new stadium’s roof. My father, who is still involved with our business, started the company back in 1974, and we’ve worked on many government projects since then, including the old Sydney Football Stadium,” said Mr Santos.
Construction will continue throughout the pandemic, with extended working hours on weekends to enable safe work practices with social distancing, no job losses or reduced hours for employees.

Thousands of businesses across the state are set to receive a boost after one of the most challenging times in recent history as the NSW Small Business Month launches tomorrow.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the NSW Government initiative is the fourth annual NSW Small Business Month, which will include hundreds of free and low-cost activities across NSW and provides a chance for businesses to reboot, connect and recover.
“Business communities have faced unprecedented challenges in 2020, with drought, bushfires, floods and now COVID-19,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“NSW Small Business Month is an opportunity to celebrate our small business owners, their valuable contributions to our local communities and their resilience. We also want to focus on ways to reboot and look at ways of doing business differently to get ahead.”
This year’s NSW Small Business Month will build on the success of the past three years by collaborating with 219 local councils and chambers of commerce, as well as over 180 festival partners, across the state.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said NSW Small Business Month included a mix of online and face-to-face COVID Safe events providing a chance to connect with other businesses and agencies.
“NSW is home to more than 785,000 small businesses who make a valuable contribution; they make up 97.5 per cent of businesses in NSW and employ more than 41 per cent of the private sector workforce,” Mr Tudehope said.
“Up to $640,000 in funding was made available this year with 93 councils and 126 local chambers of commerce receiving grants to host COVID-Safe events.”
The events cover a range of innovative and diverse topics including leveraging social media and getting your brand online.
The launch event at 10am on Thursday, 1 October will be a live webcast with a top line-up of Government and business experts, including Facebook, NAB and ATO executives. For further information, visit businessmonth.nsw.gov.au

A trial to provide public schools in regional NSW with more casual teachers will begin in Term 1, 2021.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the trials, using two pilot programs, aim to bring more teachers to regional NSW.
“It can be difficult to attract and retain teachers in rural and remote areas for a number of reasons including travel distances, lack of suitable accommodation close to schools and limited opportunities for teachers to access professional learning,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The hub and spoke pilot provides two teachers, employed in a ‘hub’ school, who can also address the needs of nearby ‘spoke’ schools.
“Through this pilot, up to 12 teachers will be employed and will be able to be deployed quickly to a nearby spoke school to cover classes.
“It will also provide certainty to casual teachers, knowing they have a permanent position.”
The program targets schools with the greatest reported shortages and grouping them in travel distance clusters to reduce average commuting times to less than an hour.
The in-built relief model first piloted in 2019, will be extended to a carefully selected number of schools from Term 3, 2020.
“One temporary teacher will be embedded in each school to provide relief when permanent teachers are unavailable due to professional development or illness.”
The trials will improve the proposition of working in rural or remote schools by:

• reducing commuting time; and,
• offering longer engagements,
• offering temporary or permanent appointments that include leave and other benefits,
• providing employment certainty,
• investing in professional development and learning for these teachers.

NSW Labor have obtained documents that reveal the NSW Liberals and NSW Nationals used around $400 million in grants as a slush fund to buy votes.
The Stronger Country Communities Fund (SCCF) was designed to fund projects throughout regional and rural NSW, however, analysis shows funding decisions were based more on political self-interest rather than the best interests of the community.
About 1550 projects received funding under rounds one, two and three, with more than 80 per cent of those located in electorates held by Coalition MPs.
In rounds one and two – announced prior to the 2019 NSW election – more than 87 per cent of grants were allocated to seats held by Coalition MPs, while projects that were clearly allocated in Labor-held seats accounted for less than four per cent.
It is unclear where some projects in council areas crossing multiple electorates were located.
$100 million worth of funds was distributed during rounds one and three, with $200 million being distributed in round two – just months before the 2019 state election.
NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay said it was blatantly obvious the SCCF was not to assist communities throughout rural and regional NSW: “This was designed to buy the last election.”
“This taxpayers money. It is not the Liberal-National Parties’ slush fund.
“We should not normalise this type of behaviour,” she said.
Four of the largest grants in round two went to marginal seats, two to fairly safe Coalition seats, one to a National seat with changing members, one to a safe Nationals seat and one to a safe Labor seat.
The largest of all three round– a grant worth more than $3 million in round two – went to Snowy Monaro Regional Council, located in the marginal seat of NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro.
An NSW Parliament Upper House inquiry examining the NSW Liberals and NSW Nationals distribution of funds as part of certain grants, will begin on Monday, September 21. Shadow Minister for Local Government, Greg Warren, said the SCCF revelations were just the tip of the iceberg.
“The Berejiklian-Barilaro Government were elected to represent the entire state – not just areas that suited their own political agenda.”
“These were public funds meant to benefit the public – not to bolster the NSW Liberals and NSW National re-election prospects,” Mr Warren said.

Labor is welcoming the establishment of a Parliamentary Inquiry it called for into rural and regional health in NSW.
The expansive probe will consider:

• Health outcomes for people living in rural, regional and remote NSW
• Access and availability of services
• Planning systems
• Capital and recurrent health expenditure
• Staffing challenges and allocations

NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay said a Parliamentary Inquiry is desperately needed and long overdue.
“Health outcomes should not be determined by postcodes. We need to do much better for families living in regional NSW,” Ms McKay said.
“This is about equality, fairness and a fundamental right to healthcare. The state of healthcare across rural and regional communities is appalling. It’s systemic crisis that must be addressed now.”
Labor first called for an urgent inquiry into rural and regional health in October last year after a death at Tenterfield Hospital was reportedly linked to a lack of clinical resources.
Since then, the significant disparity in health outcomes between the city and country areas was laid bare in data from the Public Health Information Development Unit.
The analysis shows:

• Avoidable deaths can be twice as likely in rural and regional communities when compared to cities
• The median age of death for those in Sydney (79) is more than a decade higher than residents in our most remote communities (66)
• The highest rates of preventable hospitalisation and preventable chronic disease are in regional and rural areas

The Shadow Minister for Health Ryan Park said: “It’s no secret rural and regional hospitals are overstretched and under resourced. The health system can’t cope with the growing cuts and cost blowouts from the Liberals and Nationals. I hope this Parliamentary Inquiry is the wake up call the Government needs to address the dysfunctional state of rural and regional health in NSW.”
The Shadow Minister for Rural Health Kate Washington said: “Doctors and healthcare workers across regional and rural NSW have gone above and beyond to do the best they can with what they have. But the reality is, there’s a severe lack of funding and shocking staff shortages. After nine years in Government, the Liberals and Nationals are responsible for this mess.”
The Government has continued to spruik hospital upgrades but an Auditor-General’s inquiry revealed at least three regional projects are already over budget or with missed deadlines. There have been $2.2 billion blowouts in health and hospital projects including at the Dubbo and Macksville Hospitals.
A 60 Minutes investigation on Sunday exposed the dire situation across rural and regional hospitals. The program investigated a pattern of incidents and failings all over the State.
A growing number of regional and rural health practitioners have also spoken out about the unprecedented challenges they’re grappling with amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including staff shortages and limited ICU capacity.

A Parliamentary Inquiry has heard the Premier approved a $90 million taxpayer-funded grant for a Liberal electorate in Sydney’s north. The grant for Hornsby Shire Council was finalised within 24 hours of the Council being notified it was eligible.
The Office of Local Government chief executive Tim Hurst said his agency held no record of a written, signed approval for the project from the Premier. The Stronger Communities Fund payment for Hornsby Shire Council was approved via an email from Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s office.
Two other eligible applicants were not aware the fund existed.
NSW Labor has slammed the Government’s handling of the $250 million Fund which was supposed to support forcibly-amalgamated councils.
The Inquiry heard 95% of the money went to Councils in or near seats held by Liberal or Nationals MPs, and that the decisions were approved by either the Premier, Deputy Premier or the Local Government Minister.
NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay said: “This Stronger Communities Fund was a quarter of a billion dollars. 95% of that went to Liberal and National seats. How is that appropriate?”
Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour told the Inquiry he contacted former Local Government Minister Gabrielle Upton in July 2018 about potential funds for merged Councils. He was informed there were no State Government funds available.
In contrast, Hornsby Shire Council General Manager Steven Head said was notified by the Office of Local Government chief executive, Tim Hurst, around 5pm on 27 June 2018, informing him funds under the Stronger Communities Fund – Tied Grants were available. Their grant was finalised the following day.
Ms McKay said: “This Inquiry is incredibly important to get to the bottom of what’s been happening with grant distribution across NSW. These programs should be fair and based on merit.”
“We support grant programs to help communities across a range of portfolios but we know some are being mismanaged.
“Tax payers should have confidence that decisions are fair and transparent, not politically driven.”
Shadow Minister for Local Government, Greg Warren, said the Stronger Communities Fund – Tied Grants program was a farce.
“This was a taxpayer-funded Government slush fund,” Mr Warren said.
“Not only were councils like Canterbury-Bankstown and Inner West denied access to the program, they were actually told there was no State Government funding available when clearly there was.
“Make no mistake, this fund was a rort.”
The Inquiry into Integrity, Efficacy and Value for Money of NSW Government Grant Programs will continue on Friday, October 16.