Category: NSW News

The $750 million redevelopment of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital has been brought forward by one year, after the NSW Government accelerated the project.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said early and enabling works are expected to begin in the next six months on the major redevelopment which will be a game-changer for staff and patients.
“The $750 million investment will ensure the hospital continues to serve Sydney’s growing community into the future,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Innovation will be the cornerstone of the redevelopment, incorporating new models of care including an expansion of rpavirtual, which has treated more than 4,000 patients at home and in Special Health Accommodation.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the acceleration of the project will create thousands of jobs, which is crucial to the State’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan.
“People in NSW are going through extremely tough times and we are facing some of the biggest economic challenges of our lifetime. This is yet another major construction project the NSW Government is fast-tracking to bolster jobs and re-charge our economy,” Mr Perrottet said.
The RPA redevelopment will deliver a new hospital building and refurbishment of existing spaces, including more adult inpatient beds and expanded emergency department, intensive care unit, medical imaging services, operating theatres, and maternity, birthing and neonatal services.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the $750 million redevelopment will provide the extra capacity and infrastructure required to support the RPA staff in their ongoing efforts to provide the highest quality contemporary healthcare.
“The redevelopment will enhance the world-class clinical care RPA is so well known for, along with new opportunities for teaching, research and innovation,” Mr Hazzard said.
“By fast-tracking this project the NSW Government is ensuring RPA continues to deliver world leading patient and family-centred healthcare.”
The NSW Government began the transformation of this site with the Professor Marie Bashir Centre, which opened in 2014, and the long-awaited new car park that opened in 2018, in addition to supporting the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse.
The new hospital building is expected to open to patients in 2026-27.

A hotel on the state’s north coast has been issued six infringement notices over alleged breaches of the Public Health Order and Liquor Act.
On Sunday 27 September 2020, licensing police from Richmond Police District conducted a business inspection at a hotel in Brighton Street, East Ballina.
Officers returned to the licensed premises for another inspection on Sunday (4 October 2020).
It will be alleged on both occasions that customers were continued to be served alcohol after they were heavily intoxicated and were gathering in large groups, in breach of the Public Health Order.
Following inquiries, the hotel and its licensee were issued six infringement notices today (Friday 9 October 2020), including:

• two $5000 notices for not comply with noticed direction re S7/8/9 – COVID 19 – corporation,
• two $1100 notices for licensee permit intoxication, and
• two $1100 notices for licensee fail to comply with conditions of licence.

Further business compliance inspections are planned.

A $64 million construction project in Redfern has received fast-tracked approval under the NSW Government’s Planning System Acceleration Program.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the new 18-storey building in the heart of Redfern would be home to more than 400 students, create 240 construction jobs and provide a groundfloor retail area.
“This is another example of a major shovel ready project being given fast-tracked approval to keep the NSW economy ticking throughout the pandemic,” Mr Stokes said.
“This uniquely designed tower will provide high quality housing for students and keep more of our construction workers in jobs, while reflecting Redfern’s indigenous heritage.
“The building will include Aboriginal artwork, creative open public spaces, and it’s a just a short hop to Redfern station and many public transport options.
“Now is the time to support construction jobs so that new accommodation will be online when students return as our borders reopen”
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said affordable student accommodation was a priority for the NSW Government.
“This development adds to the mix of affordable housing on offer for both domestic and international students close to nearby universities and other tertiary educational institutions,” Mr Lee said.
“The Government’s approval of this project is also a show of confidence in the future when we will overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and university life in NSW will flourish again.”
University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor and Principal Dr Michael Spence said: “We welcome with open arms any increase of affordable student accommodation within the Redfern area, to help relieve pressure for our students and make it easier to find beds they can afford that are close to our Camperdown campus.”
The Redfern development is one of 11 projects in the sixth tranche of the NSW Government’s Planning System Acceleration Program. To date, the program has created opportunities for more than 50,000 direct jobs and more than $25 billion of economic investment.

A $205 million investment in maritime infrastructure and safety upgrade projects will create nearly 1300 jobs across the state.
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said the stimulus funding to improve access and amenities was particularly important with boating activity at an all-time high.
“We’ve seen a rising number of people getting out and enjoying our waterways and foreshores as we all look to holiday closer to home,” Mr Constance said.
“The great thing about this stimulus package is it will not only improve infrastructure such as wharves, breakwalls and amenities but it will also create jobs and assist the state’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.”
The funding will go to priority areas, including:

• Regional maritime infrastructure
• Regional dredging
• Ferry wharf upgrades
• Maritime property improvements.

The $205 million stimulus will come from the Waterways Fund, which is made up of fees collected from boating licences and registrations, wetland leases and mooring licences.
Member for Manly James Griffin said $25 million will be used to upgrade Manly Wharf 3.
“Currently, if you’re in a wheelchair or pushing a pram, catching a ferry at this wharf is just not possible. The existing old timber wharf is also showing signs of wear and tear from the continual wave and tidal movements it is exposed to,” Mr Griffin said.
“Also at Manly, $9 million in work will ensure the Transport for NSW owned former Manly Sea Life site is stripped back to prepare it for its future use after 60 years as an aquarium.
“Planning for both of these projects will require careful consideration of potential local environmental impacts, including the protected Little Penguin colony and sea grasses endemic to the area.”
The ferry wharves at Double Bay, Darling Point and Greenwich Point are among those being made safer and accessible with a $37 million funding allocation.
Mr Constance said $16 million will help fund construction of the Kamay ferry wharves, currently being planned to connect La Perouse and Kurnell, providing a boost to local tourism and transport.
A commitment of $8 million will fund dredging work to ensure safe navigation of channels and entrances, particularly in regional waterways.
While a further $29 million will fund additional regional maritime infrastructure and foreshore work in locations from Tweed Heads to Eden.

Concord Hospital’s $341 million redevelopment is on track for completion, with the eight-storey Clinical Services Building set to transform healthcare in the inner west.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Member for Drummoyne John Sidoti visited the site for a traditional topping out ceremony to mark the building reaching its highest point.
Mr Hazzard said the Clinical Services Building will have more than 200 inpatient beds, with just over 550 beds across the campus, an increase of more than 100 from previously.
“The NSW Government’s $341 million commitment to Concord Hospital has created more than 700 construction jobs to build this modern, state-of-the-art facility,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Not only does it house the nation’s first dedicated veterans’ health service, a comprehensive cancer centre and an aged care centre, over two-thirds of the new inpatient beds in the new Clinical Services Building are in single rooms with daybeds for carers.”
Mr Sidoti said the National Centre for Veterans’ Healthcare has been successfully operating as a pilot service since August last year.  To date 128 people have been referred to the service and 54 have completed their care.
“This Centre is critical to our veteran community and continues Concord Hospital’s proud 80-year history of supporting veterans and their families,” Mr Sidoti said.
Concord Hospital’s new Clinical Services Building will include:

• The Rusty Priest Centre for Rehabilitation and Aged Care;
• National Centre for Veterans’ Healthcare;
• A comprehensive Cancer Care Centre with 28 beds and 48 chemotherapy, infusion and haematology chairs; and
• A new concourse linking the new building to the existing hospital, providing direct access to operating theatres, radiology and emergency care.

Construction of a new $32.4 million multistorey car park will begin following the completion of the Clinical Services Building expected in late 2021.
The NSW Government also spent $1.3 million in 2019 refurbishing two theatres at Concord Hospital that are now fully digitally integrated.

Two people have been issued infringement notices over alleged breaches of the Public Health Act in the state’s south.
Officers from Riverina Police District commenced an investigation after receiving information about a 20-year-old woman who was allegedly not self-isolating after returning to The Rock, in the state’s south west, from an address in Melbourne last week.
Police allege the woman, who held a border region resident permit, never resided at her nominated address, and had travelled to locations in Victoria that were outside the designated border region.
Following inquiries, officers attended a home in The Rock and spoke to the woman on Sunday 4 October 2020.
She was issued two infringement notices under the Public Health Act for providing false information with COVID-19 Border Control and failing to comply with noticed direction with COVID-19.
In an unrelated incident, a 22-year-old man was stopped by police after attempting to enter New South Wales on the Sturt Highway at Buronga about 10.30pm yesterday (Wednesday 7 October 2020).
Police allege the man was unable to provide a permit and was directed to return to Victoria; however, he allegedly attended a second checkpoint in Curlwaa a short time later and attempted to cross into NSW, without a valid permit.
The South Australian man was issued a $1000 PIN for failing to comply with noticed direction with COVID-19.
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

Four South Australian men have been issued Penalty Infringement Notices after making three attempts to cross the border without valid permits.
Just before 5am yesterday (Thursday 8 October 2020), officers attached to Operation Border Closure stopped a white Holden Commodore at the Tooleybuc checkpoint.
Police spoke with the four male occupants – aged 17, 18, 19 and 21 – who said they were travelling from South Australia to Sydney for a holiday; however, they had travelled through Victoria without a permit.
They were refused entry to NSW and returned to Victoria.
About 2pm, the same vehicle was stopped at the same checkpoint, and the occupants stated the GPS had taken them through Victoria without warning.
The group were advised that without a permit they would not be allowed to enter NSW and were directed to return to Victoria.
Subsequent checks revealed the group had made the earlier attempt to cross the border and a warning was circulated amongst the checkpoints.
Just after 3.30pm, the vehicle was stopped by police at the Euston checkpoint and the occupants told police they were travelling into NSW to visit a dying relative but did not have valid permits.
After suspecting the occupants may have been that as mentioned in the warning from the Tooleybuc, officers conducted checks, which revealed it to be one and the same.
The men were each issued a $1000 PIN for failing to comply with noticed direction with COVID-19 before they were directed to return to Victoria.
Police are aware of recent changes allowing NSW residents to transit into South Australia via Victoria with relevant documentation.
At this point in time, there have been no changes for anyone wishing to enter NSW from Victoria.
To enter NSW from Victoria, regardless of the state you are from, you must hold a valid permit. For more information about exemptions or to apply for a permit, please visit: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-covid-19-nsw-border-entry-permit
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet tonight welcomed the Federal Government’s job-creating budget which provides significant tax relief for hard working Australians, supports businesses, and boosts investment in key infrastructure projects across NSW.
Mr Perrottet commended federal counterpart Josh Frydenberg and Prime Minister Scott Morrison for delivering a budget which provides “support and hope” for Australians in the midst of the most challenging economic environment in a generation.
“This is a budget which will create thousands of new jobs, deliver vital infrastructure projects for the people of NSW, and help stimulate the economic recovery through Government spending and tax cuts,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Businesses doing it tough have been thrown a lifeline with the ability for them to write-off the full value of eligible assets, and offset losses incurred out to June 2022, providing support when it is needed most.”
Mr Perrottet said the Commonwealth’s $2.7 billion investment in NSW infrastructure projects would help ensure a strong pipeline of construction projects and continue to create jobs for years to come, while the JobMaker program will support businesses to keep more Australians working.
The Federal budget also laid bare the true cost of the COVID-19 pandemic to the Australian economy with a forecast national hit of $21.2 billion hit to GST over the forward estimates to 2023-24 since the Federal Government’s update last December. This equates to a potential loss to NSW of $6.2 billion over this period.
“The nation’s two biggest economies, NSW and Victoria, have been hard hit by the pandemic and the resultant drop in GST revenue is something we will overcome as we chart a course of recovery,” Mr Perrottet said.
“When it comes to the economic cost of COVID-19 it impacts us all and it has never been more important to work with the Commonwealth to create as many jobs as possible and chart a course for a strong recovery in the years ahead.”
The NSW State Budget will be delivered on November 17.

The NSW Government will fund 12 Diploma of Event Management scholarships to help upskill and create more job opportunities for those living in regional communities across the state.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the initiative is part of the NSW Government’s $6 million Regional Conferencing Strategy and Action Plan, which includes a partnership with Meetings & Events Australia (MEA).
“The business events sector presents a major opportunity for the visitor economy of regional NSW, particularly as we steer our path to recovery,” Mr Ayres said.
“We know that the best way forward is to help to create more jobs and these scholarships will do exactly that – giving people the tools and extra support needed to kick-start their careers in the field of event management.
“I congratulate the 12 scholarship recipients who are already making valuable contributions to their local communities and wish them every success as they begin their diploma studies and continue their journeys in the events sector.”
MEA Chief Executive Officer Robyn Johnson said she was looking forward to welcoming the third intake of regional students at a time when creating skills is key to enhancing career opportunities.
“In the past year, we have seen a number of former scholarship students graduate with their MEA Diploma of Event Management with the skills gained from undertaking the course adding great value to their regions, which is a testament to this wonderful program,” Ms Johnson said.
The 12 recipients were selected by a panel, which included representatives from the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, MEA and the six Destination Networks.

Summer is coming and outdoor spaces are being opened up for alfresco drinking and dining just in time for the warmer weather with the NSW Government slashing red tape to allow quicker approval times for venues.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said government agencies are getting the “Alfresco Job” done, allowing the new measures to be rolled out first in The Rocks from 16 October and in the city from November 1 for a 12-month pilot.
“We have cut through red tape to make this happen in a very short timeframe,” Mr Dominello said.
“We’re working with City of Sydney and Place Management NSW, the landowner for The Rocks, to condense what was previously a three-month process involving multiple agencies, into a single application that takes a week.
“An amendment to the Liquor Regulation will also allow expanded liquor licence boundaries to be approved in as little as three days – a process that previously took up to 51 days.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said cafés, bars, restaurants and hotels will be able to apply for an outdoor dining licence without needing to get a planning approval, making things easier for business owners.
“The pandemic has had a devastating effect on the hospitality industry so this solution will not only keep our communities safer, but draw people back into the city so we can support local business and boost the economy,” Mr Stokes said.
“What we’re doing is getting out of the way – making processes simpler and easier for business owners to quickly take advantage of our unbeatable summer climate and set up outdoor areas for patrons to enjoy.
“We are doing this by trialling policy changes that mean a planning approval will  not be needed for restaurants, bars and cafés to extend their business to outside areas.”
Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said while The Rocks and City of Sydney will be the first areas to take up the new outdoor dining opportunities, they won’t be the last.
“Councils across the State are being encouraged to examine how they can fast-track outdoor dining area approvals at their end while ensuring public amenity and safety,” Mrs Hancock said.
“We’re exploring introducing further changes so that all councils can take advantage of the new arrangements and implement similar streamlined processes in time for summer.
“By slashing government approval times, we want businesses and councils to work together to identify spaces for outdoor dining. For example, there might be an unused car park next to your premises, or some sunny pavement out the front of your restaurant – these could be perfect spaces to apply to use.”
Consultation is now open for feedback on the proposed changes to the codes SEPP to allow pubs, small bars and cultural venue with a food or drink outlet to participate in the outdoor dining trial in the City of Sydney.