Category: NSW News

Businesses in the Sydney CBD heavily impacted by the pandemic will benefit from a new $50 million stimulus program that will offer 500,000 NSW residents four $25 vouchers for use towards dining and entertainment experiences.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the vouchers, which can only be used on Fridays, will boost the city economy, support jobs and bring fizz back to Friday in the city.
“We have listened to businesses and know that it’s time to make Fridays fun again and ensure the Sydney CBD doesn’t just survive but thrives,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This will be a targeted program designed to get more people back into the heart of the greatest city on earth and on the way through spend a little extra on retail and services businesses.
“It’s about making Friday’s fantastic and fun and at the same time helping the Sydney CBD which has been hit hardest by COVID with a reduction in CBD workers and the absence of overseas visitors for more than a year.”
Short term arrivals to NSW in April sat at just under 11,000 – a 96 per cent decrease on pre-pandemic averages of around 234,000 per month.
Minister for Digital and Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the program, which is expected to go live before Summer, will again be delivered via the Service NSW app.
“The ‘TGIF’ voucher scheme will be a boon for businesses across the Sydney CBD. It will also be seamless for customers to access and use the vouchers, as there will be no need for them to re-prove their identity if they have already downloaded their Dine & Discover vouchers. Furthermore, there will no restriction on customers using multiple $25 vouchers for one meal or discover activity,” Mr Dominello said.
“The Service NSW app is fast becoming the backbone of our state’s digital service delivery. Mass adoption of the app enables us to switch on new digital programs, like the ‘TGIF’ vouchers, in a way that few Governments around the world are capable of doing.
“The program will be inclusive, with a non-digital option available to customers without a smartphone.”
Eligible businesses must be physically located within postcode 2000.
Similar to Dine & Discover, the program will be open to businesses in the dining and entertainment industries.

• Customers will need to be aged 18 and over and will require a MyServiceNSW account;
• Only one set of vouchers will be issued per person. Each individual voucher can only be used once, and vouchers can only be redeemed on Fridays;
• The vouchers can be added together for a single purchase up to $100;
• The vouchers cannot be used for alcohol, tobacco or gambling;
• The same eligibility criteria will apply for these vouchers as for Dine & Discover;
• Registration will be available through all Service NSW channels;
• Further details, including how customers can register their interest for the program, will be released soon.

The NSW Government will direct $28 million into research and development and promoting new and emerging industries and technology to better prepare the state for future bushfires.
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Bushfire Response R&D Mission will receive $7 million per year for the next four years as part of this year’s 2021-22 NSW Budget to be handed down next week.
“The 2019-20 bushfires claimed lives, destroyed thousands of homes and cost NSW billions, this investment will go towards reducing the impact of bushfires and responding in the most effective way possible,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This focus on new technology to enhance planning, preparation and response will save jobs when a disaster strikes and boost jobs in new industries.
“NSW is unfortunately one of the world’s bushfire hotspots, so it makes sense that we should package our hard won know-how and take it to the world.”
Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier Gabrielle Upton said the establishment of R&D Missions will address long-term strategic challenges facing NSW, and was a priority action of the “Turning Ideas into Jobs – Accelerating Research & Development in NSW Action Plan” launched in January 2021 by Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
“R&D Missions tackle complex challenges that require the integration and translation of research and technology across government agencies,” Ms Upton said.
“This funding will help establish a Bushfire Technology Network, engage NSW small business to develop and commercialise bushfire technologies and ensure that new technologies are tested by frontline NSW bushfire services.”
The funding will also help address a number of recommendations from the NSW Bushfire inquiry such as establishing NSW as a major world centre for bush fire research, and technology development and commercialisation.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the NSW Government has committed to acting on the lessons learnt from the 2019-20 bush fires.
“Bush fire research is a key recommendation of the independent NSW Bushfire Inquiry and is crucial to ensuring that our emergency services can continue to have the best training and technology that will keep our state safe,” Mr Elliott said.
“The continued investment into research goes hand-in-hand with the NSW Government’s record budget for Emergency Services and continued investment into initiatives that address recommendations from the Bushfire Inquiry.”
Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte, NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer, said the Bushfire Response Mission will have a strong focus on technology.
“The Mission will develop the use of real-time data from space, air and ground-based assets, ensure fire ground decisions made are based on information and computer-aided tools, and enable the use of equipment including robots to aid responders,” Mr Durrant-Whyte said.
“Technologies from NSW companies which prove themselves will attract interest from global markets.”
Chair of the Advisory Council David Gonski AC welcomed the Bushfire Response Mission launch.
“The impact of COVID-19 on economic growth makes the task to commercialise more R&D an urgent one,” Mr Gonski said.
“Focusing the commercialisation of technologies on solving one of our state’s greatest challenges is an excellent step in bringing together and promoting the relevant research and development efforts of the business, research sectors and communities across NSW.”
The NSW Government has committed a further $8 million in funding over two years to establish an Emerging Industry Infrastructure Fund.
This fund will target new industries where NSW potentially has a comparative advantage and where co-investment in joint infrastructure will both build on existing industry and attract global companies and investment into NSW.
Potential investments include the development of sovereign semiconductor production capabilities and the consolidation of NSW’s leading position in synthetic biology.

Track laying has finished in one of the Sydney Metro railway tunnels under Sydney Harbour, marking a major milestone in the Metro from Chatswood to the city to Bankstown.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance today inspected the completed tracks on the Blues Point side of the northbound tunnel, which is about 40 metres below the harbour’s surface.
The tracks in these tunnels connect the future Barangaroo and Victoria Cross (North Sydney) Metro Stations.
“Around 50,000 people will have worked on this incredible city-shaping project by the time services start in 2024, with about 800 involved in the tunnel fit out and 5,000 currently working on the project,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“It will take just three minutes to travel between the new Victoria Cross Station at North Sydney to Barangaroo Station using the tunnels, transforming the way we travel around our great city.”
Track laying in the southbound Metro harbour tunnel has reached 30% and will be complete by the end of July.
“The 800 metre-section of track in the northbound Metro harbour tunnel is complete, after 1,200 railway sleepers and 2,100 tonnes of concrete were installed,” Mr Constance said.
“More than 4,000 tonnes of Australian steel has been used for the 31 kilometres of tracks from Chatswood to Sydenham, including 200 tonnes under the Harbour.”
Sydney Metro line-wide contractors Systems Connect, a joint venture between CPB Contractors and UGL Limited, took over the harbour tunnels in December last year to lay the tracks and fit out the tunnels.
Metro trains will start running through the harbour tunnels in 2024, extending the North West Metro, into the city and beyond to Bankstown.
New stations are being delivered at Crows Nest, Victoria Cross, Barangaroo, Martin Place, Pitt Street and Waterloo, along with new underground platforms at Central Station.

The NSW Government is increasing its historic investment in new and upgraded schools, delivering funding for 44 new and upgraded school projects announced as part of the 2021/22 Budget.
This includes funding for 30 projects that were prioritised for planning and 14 new works in areas of high need.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the school building pipeline has already invested billions of dollars into new and upgraded schools, with 50 delivered last year alone.
“This budget continues our historic school infrastructure investment with an additional $2.1 billion spend to deliver new and upgraded schools across NSW,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Since 2019, this government has delivered more than 100 new and upgraded schools – it’s an important achievement, but we are not done.”
The 2021/22 Budget will include funding to deliver:

• A new primary school in Gregory Hills
• A new primary school at Westmead
• The new selective high school in Southwest Sydney
• The relocation of Wee Waa High School
• A new high school in Marsden Park
• Jordan Springs Public School – Stage 2

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the government is providing for families across the state and in growth areas.
“Communities have never seen investment in education like this before, including in high growth areas. Western Sydney alone is seeing an additional $2 billion investment in new works,” Mr Perrottet said.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said that the investment in schools is an investment in the future of NSW.
“This budget shows yet again that we are a government that delivers on its commitments. We plan for schools – and then, once planning is complete, we fund them for construction,” Ms Mitchell said.
“This historic program began in 2017 and since then, we have spent more than $7 billion on new and upgraded schools. The additional funds in this Budget grow the pipeline to $7.9 billion worth of investment in new and upgraded schools over the next four years, making this a $15 billion school building program.
“Across NSW, thousands and thousands of students are benefitting from new and upgraded schools, and this will continue under this government.”
These initiatives will be announced as part of the 2021/22 Budget with the NSW Government continuing its program to deliver 215 new and upgraded schools representing an injection of $7.9 billion into the NSW economy over the next four years.

NSW will soon be home to new iconic multi-day walks in the State’s spectacular national parks, thanks to $80 million in funding as part of the 2021-22 NSW Budget.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet joined Environment Minister Matt Kean in the Illawarra today to unveil the first walk – The Great Southern Walk – which will stretch 59-kilometres and showcase the natural and cultural beauty of the Illawarra Escarpment, Royal and Kamay Botany Bay National Parks.
Mr Perrottet said we want NSW’s national parks to become ‘must-see’ destinations of global significance.
“From Border Ranges in the north, to Kosciuszko in the south, to Hat Head in the east and Mungo in the west, visitation across our extraordinary National Parks estate has surged in the past 12 months,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This $80 million budget injection will enable us to add new iconic experiences to our tourism arsenal, drawing keen hikers from around Australia and when borders reopen  the world, to our spectacular regions giving local small businesses and tourism operators a much needed boost.
“The first of the walks – The Great Southern Walk – will provide a spectacular 5-day experience with a range of new accommodation options such as cabins and ‘glamping’ sites dotted along the track to welcome walkers at the end of each day’s trek.”
Environment Minister Matt Kean said a new mountain biking network will also be created across the Escarpment and become a major drawcard for visitors to the area.
“This new mountain bike track will offer riders over 44 kilometres of uninterrupted, sustainably managed track between Mount Keira and Mount Kembla,” Mr Kean said.
“Both this signature walk and biking network are major initiatives that will not only make our national parks more accessible to a broader audience but also bring new visitors to this spectacular region.”
The walk, expected to be complete in 2024, will boost the local tourism economy and create local jobs both during construction and as the walk welcomes national and international visitors. Details on a second iconic multi-day walk will be released in coming months.
NSW national parks already attract more than 60 million visits a year, generating $18 billion in economic activity for NSW and supporting more than 74,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Since 2019 the NSW Government has invested more than $257 million across the national park estate to improve visitor facilities – the biggest visitor infrastructure investment in the history of NSW national parks.

More women and children experiencing domestic and sexual violence will be supported by a $60 million funding boost to frontline services over two years from the NSW Government.
The Government will also commit an extra $32.5 million over four years to expand the Staying Home Leaving Violence (SHLV) program across the State to assist victim survivors.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said these commitments in the NSW Budget would help to tackle the scourge of domestic violence – one of the most difficult problems our communities face.
“NSW is one of the best places to live, but that doesn’t mean we’re immune from complex social issues like domestic and sexual violence, that impact thousands each year,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Our Government’s responsible fiscal management, even in the depths of COVID-19, has enabled us to make important investments like this, that will help stop the cycle of abuse and protect some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.”
Attorney General and Minister for Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Mark Speakman said the Government will engage with the sector in delivering these significant investments to NSW communities.
“Our priorities will include helping children impacted by domestic violence, Aboriginal survivors, those from culturally and linguistically diverse communites, and victims from regional communities,” Mr Speakman said.
The funding announced today will:

• boost frontline specialist domestic, family and sexual violence services;
• help victim-survivors escape violent homes;
• support victim-survivors stay safe at home;
• hold perpetrators to account; and
• raise awareness about domestic and family violence services.

The NSW Government funding will also go towards trialling initiatives during the transition to the next National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children.
Mr Speakman said the state-wide rollout of SHLV was aimed at preventing victim-survivors from becoming homeless or having to move away from their support system of family and friends, instead supporting them to stay safely where they are.
“Women are often forced to flee violent homes, and in doing so they’re cut off from housing, community supports, employment, and education for their children,” Mr Speakman said.
“Perpetrators choose to inflict horrendous abuse on those they claim to love. It is they alone who should bear the brunt of re-locating if they refuse to change their behaviour.”
SHLV works in partnership with NSW Police and provides a range of wrap-around services including safety planning, home security, support for children, assistance in managing finances and navigating the legal process.
Delia Donovan, CEO of Domestic Violence NSW, the state’s leading organisation for specialist domestic violence services, welcomed the funding boost that will benefit services across the state.
“Frontline services have been advocating for greater support, particularly during COVID-19, to deliver crucial services to victim-survivors in communities across NSW, so we’re really pleased to see this critical funding commitment in the Budget,” Ms Donovan said.
“The expansion of Staying Home Leaving Violence is also fantastic news, as it will ensure that more women and their children can access this service no matter where they live, and therefore they can safely remain in their homes, if they choose to do so.”
The funding announced today is in addition to a record $538 million investment over four years announced in the last Budget to reduce domestic violence re-offending and support victim safety through early intervention initiatives, victim support and perpetrator interventions.

The NSW Government is committing $50 million for planning and development works of Stage 2 of the Parramatta Light Rail in the upcoming 2021-22 NSW Budget.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the funding will ensure we have the right transport links between Greater Parramatta and the Sydney Olympic Peninsula.
“This continues our record investment in public transport infrastructure, which is continuing to support thousands of jobs in our economy while also making Sydney and NSW a better place to live,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This money will go towards planning, utilities and geotechnical investigations. It will also progress the development of the project’s Environmental Impact Statement.”
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said this funding would ensure the project is ‘shovel ready’.
“This area is growing at an exponential rate and requires infrastructure that is smart, futureproof and will offer the community a variety of transport choices,” Mr Constance said.
“It is important we get the next steps right so this project complements city-shaping projects like Sydney Metro West.”
The NSW Government previously announced a preferred route for the second stage of the Parramatta Light Rail that would connect Stage 1 and Parramatta CBD to Ermington, Melrose Park, Wentworth Point and Sydney Olympic Park.
Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said it was exciting to see the planning funding committed for the next stage of this transport link.
“Locals have seen the great progress on Stage 1, with 50 per cent of tracks expected to be laid by the end of the month. Now, they can see the NSW Government is getting on with the job by laying the groundwork for the next stage of this project,” Mr Lee said.
The Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 and 2 will provide links with Sydney Metro West at Parramatta, Westmead and Sydney Olympic Park and the existing rail network at Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park as well as ferries at Parramatta, Rydalmere and Wentworth Point.

The NSW Government has committed $1.15 billion to kick start work on the Bradfield City Centre, supporting thousands of jobs on the doorstep of the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the funding paves the way for work on the project to begin this year, starting the creation of a world class city precinct that will support up to 17,600 highly skilled jobs.
“This is another exciting step forward in realising the Government’s vision for this city-building project,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We have named the new Aerotropolis city, Bradfield, and now work is set to begin to turn what is essentially a paddock today into a thriving global city centre.”
This commitment from the NSW Government includes $975.5 million in enabling works to establish, remediate and allow site access to about 100 hectares of land, driving the COVID-19 economic recovery not only in NSW, but across the nation.
The funding will also help to create a key Indo-Pacific economic hub, unleashing international investment in advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defence, agri-business, pharma, freight and logistics, health and education.
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said this vital investment would lay the foundations for Bradfield to be transformed into a world-class precinct that will drive jobs now and into the future.
“Bradfield City will be the next jewel in Sydney’s crown and we’re putting in the groundwork to deliver an iconic city that will unlock new economic opportunities, particularly for the people of Western Sydney,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The pandemic has shown us the importance of investing in our own backyard and this investment will create a precinct that will be home to businesses and industries that will create jobs not just today, but into the future as well.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said there is also funding to establish the First Building in the Bradfield City Centre and for a four-year pilot of the New Education and Training Model (NETM).
“The government has committed $138.2 million for the First Building which includes a $24.9 million high-tech facility which will house $22.9 million worth of shared-use equipment for research institutions and industry to collaborate,” Mr Ayres said.
“The NETM is a new model of tertiary education aimed at helping advanced industries access skilled labour. We are dedicating $37.4 million to the program over five years to provide more than 7,000 courses for almost 3,000 students.”
The funding commitment will deliver the first stage of Australia’s first 22^nd century city, attracting global competitive advanced industries and driving the creation of 200,000 new jobs across the Western Parkland City.

The NSW Government will invest $7.7 million to trial a new model of care and management for children with behavioural issues including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in regional NSW.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the funding would be included in the upcoming 2021-22 NSW Budget to provide greater support for families in the bush.
“This is about ensuring kids and young people across our State are able to get the help they need when challenges arise. We don’t want families to just survive, we want them to thrive and meeting health needs plays a vital part in that,” Mr Perrottet said.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the pilot program will give people greater access to vital services closer to home.
“We are pleased to invest in a trial that will help children and young people with behavioural issues including ADHD and their families seek the care they need in their local community,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Medical and allied health staff will be employed in regional areas to work directly with the families to help children and young people transition from school to tertiary education or work while managing their behavioural issues.”
The mixed model service will connect children and young people with behavioural management and support needs to a range of state-wide services including:

• existing diagnostic services;
• paediatric psychiatry support;
• tertiary children’s services;
• transition care and management; and
• telehealth and outreach clinics.

The trial builds on the recommendations of the Henry Review which examined the current model of care for the assessment and management of children and young people with behavioural issues including ADHD in NSW.
“We have taken on board the three recommendations of the Henry Review, and the new model of care will be informed by input from medical and allied health staff across NSW,” Mr Hazzard said.
In 2021-22, the NSW Government will contribute $1.8 million funding for the ADHD pilot program, with a total investment of $7.7 million over four years.

Regional communities will benefit from the NSW Government announcing it will invest $107.7 million as part of its Legacy Mines program in the 2021-22 Budget to remediate historic and abandoned mine sites across the state.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Member for the Upper Hunter Dave Layzell today visited a recently rehabilitated mine site at the Mount Thorley/Warkworth Mine in Singleton where they made the announcement.
Mr Barilaro said mining continues to drive prosperity in NSW and remedying legacy mine projects of the past while developing the mining projects of tomorrow will accelerate economic growth, support jobs and ensure mining communities remain great places to live and work.
“Regional communities were built on the back of mining projects, but these legacy mines were operating at a different time, well before the procedures and requirements we have today for managing chemical use and rehabilitation were put in place,” Mr Barilaro said.
“This significant funding boost will allow major remediation works to be completed across ten years at abandoned mine sites, primarily in locations where production ceased between 50 and 100 years ago – in places like Captains Flat and sites in the Central West and Northern Tablelands.
“Intensive remediation at these locations will increase safety, reduce impacts to the environment, and reinvigorate land for other possible uses, such as for community parklands, to create tourist attractions, or accommodate select business operations.”
Mr Layzell said while remediation works have been completed at many sites over the years through the Legacy Mines program, the additional funding will make a real difference to communities in proximity to higher risk legacy mines.
“As someone who comes from an electorate built on mining at a time when we’re fortunate to have safeguards in place to protect people and the environment, I know this will help people feel more confident about living and working around legacy mines,” Mr Layzell said.
“Many people who live in these communities will know about the long and proud local mining history in their town, but I know confirmation of further work to rehabilitate land will provide greater certainty about their wellbeing, the value of their land, and the future of the region they love.”
For further information about the NSW Government’s Legacy Mines program, visit: https://www.resourcesandgeoscience.nsw.gov.au/landholders-and-community/minerals-and-coal/legacy-mines-program.