Category: NSW News

NSW tourism will receive a welcome boost through a Tourism Recovery package to encourage visitation to NSW, fund new local events and assist tourism businesses to develop, promote and sell their tourism products.
The first phase of the plan launches with a new community-driven campaign – Now’s The Time To Love NSW – urging travellers to book a getaway which gives back.
Minister for Jobs, Investment and Tourism Stuart Ayres said the new campaign, developed by the state’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, taps into the outpouring of public support in the wake of the bushfires.
“The prolonged drought and unprecedented bushfires have broken our hearts and had a devastating impact on thousands of tourism operators in our beautiful state,” Mr Ayres said.
“That’s why now’s the time to love NSW – we need to show the world that our many spectacular sights and experiences are in great shape, and they’re welcoming visitors right now.”
To kickstart the campaign, people are being invited to take a #RecoveryWeekend in NSW, stay and spend locally, take photos showcasing NSW’s beauty featuring hands in the shape of a heart and share them on social media with the tag #LoveNSW generating authentic, real-time imagery of NSW’s many holiday destinations.
The recovery package was informed by input from the tourism industry, tourism associations and the Destination Networks and will target domestic and international markets.
“Recovery will take time and the NSW Government is here for the long haul. This $10 million will provide immediate help and set up long-term support for the industry to help businesses get back on their feet,” Minister Ayres said.
Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said with one in 13 Australians relying on tourism and hospitality for their jobs, it was important to holiday here this year and help the industry get back on its feet.
“Australia’s tourism industry has taken a massive hit. Right across Australia tourism businesses, including in NSW are feeling the pressure as tourists delay or cancel their travel plans, even in many areas that haven’t been affected,” Minister Birmingham said.
“That’s why we’re backing this campaign through our $20 million domestic tourism commitment to get Aussies into fire-affected communities as they open up again, as well into unaffected tourism towns that are also feeling the pinch.
“I urge Australians to support our tourism businesses and save local jobs by booking a trip in NSW this year.”
In addition to Now’s The Time To Love NSW marketing campaign, the package includes trade partner conversion campaigns with Qantas Airways, Accor, Webjet, TripAdvisor and Tigerair and a $1 million regional events program to support flagship events and a new stream of micro events.
Now’s The Time To Love NSW builds on and complements Tourism Australia’s recently launched Holiday Here This Year domestic tourism campaign and is funded by both State and Federal investments.

Dodgy developments will be a thing of the past under NSW Government plans that will see the implementation of ratings systems for professionals in the building industry and strong new powers to prevent occupation certificates from being issued on suspect developments.
The new rating system will help the building regulator determine who the risky players are in the industry and prevent dodgy apartments from being sold to unexpecting buyers.
The changes form part of the NSW Building Commissioner’s work plan which, for the first time, outlines publicly how the government plans to overhaul the building and construction industry in NSW under Six Reform Pillars.
Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Kevin Anderson said the reforms will improve transparency, accountability and quality of work within the industry.
“These reforms are a complete game changer for consumers, the government and the building industry as a whole,” Mr Anderson said.
“Simply put, customers need better built buildings, and our reforms will deliver that. Anyone who doesn’t want to get on board with that concept will get left behind.”
The six reform pillars cover legislation and regulations changes, ratings systems, improving skills within the industry, ensuring contracts help meet standards, digitising the industry and establishing NSW as a leader in modern construction methods.
NSW Building Commissioner, David Chandler said the old days of being reactionary to problems in the industry can’t continue.
“The government has a great deal of resources available, including inspectors, which is why we need to make sure we’re using those resources in the best way possible to protect consumers from major defects,” Mr Chandler said.
Mr Anderson said passing the Design and Building Practitioners Bill, which is currently held up in the NSW Upper House, is crucial to the progression of building reforms.
“We asking the opposition and the cross bench to put consumers ahead of politics and let us get on with the building reforms, every day these reforms are delayed is another day homeowners go without the necessary protections,” Mr Anderson said.
The NSW Upper House will resume debate on the Design and Building Practitioners Bill in the last week of February.

Small businesses and councils affected by the bushfires can apply for a suite of financial assistance packages thanks to the NSW and Commonwealth Governments.
The financial support includes grants of up to $50,000 for small businesses directly affected by bushfire, up to $250,000 to Local Government Areas, a Bushfire Working Capital Loan of up to $50,000 and low interest loans of up to $500,000 to eligible small businesses, primary producers and not-for-profits in bushfire impacted council areas.
Federal Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash said, thousands of small businesses have been impacted by the recent bushfires both in the disaster-declared areas and in surrounding areas.
“These financial support measures will provide much needed funds for affected small businesses in the early recovery phase to help them get back on their feet,” Minister Cash said.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro said the bushfires had devastated entire communities.
“As we move into the recovery phase, communities are facing unprecedented challenges and there will be many difficult months ahead,” he said.
“These grants and loans will assist bushfire-affected communities to get back on their feet.”
Financial assistance includes:

• Grants of up to $50,000 are available for eligible small businesses and non-profit organisations with direct damage to their premises, equipment or stock from the bushfires and can help to pay for repairs, via Service NSW;
• Payments up to $250,000 to Local Government Areas impacted by bushfire for small scale local activities that will kick-start the social and economic recovery of their communities;
• Loans of up to $500,000 specifically designed to provide an immediate injection of money to help return and continue business operations by covering salaries or wages, rent, lease and rates, as well as purchase of goods and services, via NSW Rural Assistance Authority.

Funding is provided jointly from the NSW and Commonwealth Governments through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said he encouraged small businesses to apply for the funding, which would assist in getting bushfire-affected communities up and running as soon as possible.
“Small enterprises are the lifeblood of their community and we want to do everything we can to support them during this time of recovery,” he said.
Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said the bushfire recovery phase is also about supporting communities to come together and heal.
“Local councils are the backbones to their communities and we’re committed to doing all we can to help them as they start to heal and rebuild their communities.”
Small Business Grants
The Commonwealth Government announced on Monday, 20 January, a Small Business Bushfire Recovery Package that included recovery grants, concessional loans, a Small Business Financial Support Line, Local Economic Recovery Plans and tax relief. Those small businesses who have already accessed up to $15,000 under the existing Small Business Grants scheme, can now apply for additional funds, bringing the total available to $50,000.
The assistance is being provided through the joint Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements between states and territories and the Commonwealth Government.
The grant is being administered through Service NSW and is available to eligible, fire-affected small businesses within Category C declared Local Government Areas (LGAs) since 31 August 2019.
For more information on eligibility criteria and to register to apply for the grant, visit
https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/register-small-business-bushfire-recovery-grant
Bushfire Community Resilience and Economic Recovery Fund
Councils will be offered payments of a minimum $100,000 and up to $250,000 for small scale local activities that will kick-start the social and economic recovery of their communities. This quick and flexible funding will be made available to eligible councils from early February 2020.
Councils can use funding straight away for events or initiatives that support local business and industry recovery, as well as community resilience and wellbeing.
Examples could include:

• local recovery support services for impacted small businesses;
• local industry recovery events;
• neighbourhood and community strengthening activities that focus on building capacity, community strengthening and resilience.

These Community Resilience and Economic Recovery Grants have been previously announced and are being provided through the joint Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements between states and territories and the Commonwealth Government.
Bushfire Working Capital and Recovery Loans
The Bushfire Working Capital Loan is up to $50,000 and is specifically designed to provide an immediate injection of money to help return and continue business operations by covering salaries or wages, rebuilding infrastructure and purchase of goods and services. Its terms are up to five years, with a two year interest free and repayment free period.
And the larger Bushfire Recovery Loan of up to $500,000 is over 10 years, with a two-year interest free and payment free period. It is available for significantly larger investments where required.
The loans are jointly funded by the State and Federal Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. Applications and details are on-line, via the NSW Rural Assistance Authority www.raa.nsw.gov.au.

The NSW Government will help regional and rural patients impacted by bushfires with their travel and accommodation costs when attending specialist medical treatments.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the NSW Government is looking at ways to support bushfire-affected communities with practical solutions to make life a little easier during an incredibly tough time.
“People in bushfire-affected areas have enough to worry about at the moment without the additional stress of finding extra money to travel long distances to see a specialist.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the criteria for the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS) will be broadened so patients impacted by bushfires can access the subsidy to help cover out-of-pocket costs.
“Some patients in regional and rural areas will have to travel a longer route or extend their stay due to road closures or poor weatherconditions, so this scheme will help ease some of the financial pressure,” Mr Hazzard said.
The IPTAAS provides subsidies for transport and accommodation expenses incurred when travelling at least 100km, or a cumulative distance of at least 200km in a week for specialist medical treatment.
Cancer Council NSW’s Director of Information and Support Services Annie Miller said the scheme would assist cancer patients unable to return home between treatments.
“This will make a significant difference to patients and their families having regular cancer treatments who haven’t been able to return home due to road closures or poor air quality and have been forced to spend more on accommodation and travel,” Ms Miller said.
Patients are encouraged to include additional information such as extenuating circumstances and tax invoices within their applications.Anyone experiencing financial hardship should contact IPTAAS to discuss payment options.
Investment in IPTAAS has more than doubled over the past seven years, from $12.2 million in 2011-12 to $25.9 million in 2018-19, helping more than 30,000 patients.
For more information about the IPTAAS scheme, call 1800 478 227 or go to: http://www.iptaas.health.nsw.gov.au/home

The NSW Government has today announced six months of council rates relief to ease the burden for anyone who has lost their home or small business in the recent bush fires.
Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro and Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said the funding is part of the NSW Government’s unwavering commitment to do all it can to help local communities recover and rebuild from the devastating bushfires.
“Bush fire affected communities will not have to pay rates on a home which has been lost in the fires,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The last thing our communities need right now is more financial stress, which is why the NSW Government is doing everything to ease the burden by funding council rates and picking up the bill for the clean-up, at no cost to owners.
“Regional communities, emergency services, volunteers and our farmers have been outstanding throughout the fires, and we need to be as vigilant in recovery as they are in the face of disaster,” he said.
Mrs Hancock said the NSW Government will cover the full cost of council rates for the third and fourth quarters of this financial year for residents and farmers who have lost their homes, and business owners whose properties have been destroyed beyond repair by bushfires.
“The impact of the bushfires is truly unprecedented with the tragic loss of more than 2,400 homes in NSW,” Mrs Hancock said.
“It is simply unfair to expect somebody to go through the heartbreak of losing their home and then expect them to pay rates on a property they can no longer live in.
“That’s why the Government will fund council rates relief for anyone who has lost their home or small business in the bushfire crisis.”
Affected residents that have lost their homes and small businesses will soon be able to take their council rates notice to a Service NSW centre and the Government will cover the cost. Anyone who has already paid their rates will receive a refund.
“The NSW Government is committed to cutting red tape and reducing the financial burden for individuals who have lost their homes,” Mrs Hancock said.
“We stand ready to do all we can to help bushfire-affected communities so they can recover and rebuild as quickly as possible.”

The NSW Government will move to suspend the ordinary business of Parliament for the week, when it returns on Tuesday, to pay tribute to the victims of the devastating bushfires.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian will move a Condolence Motion to allow each Member of Parliament to express their deepest sympathies to the families, loved ones and communities of those who have died and been directly impacted by the devastation.
“The scale of this bushfire season in NSW is unprecedented and the impact has been catastrophic with 2,400 homes destroyed, 10,000 buildings impacted and more than 5 million hectares burnt,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“But nothing is more tragic than the loss of life. We know the trauma is widespread as people come to terms with the extent of the devastation.
“This is the largest natural disaster in our State’s living memory so it is fitting that the NSW Parliament takes the time to reflect on this tragedy while also acknowledging the ongoing threat the fires pose.”
A State Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, 23 February at Qudos Bank Arena to acknowledge the tragic loss of life.
“We know members of the public from across NSW will also want to recognise the lives lost, the sacrifices made and to think of those directly impacted by the fires.
“There will be a separate opportunity for us to formally thank our volunteers and emergency services workers in the near future.”

A new, $11.5 million world-class birth unit twice the size of the previous facility has opened at St George Hospital, providing local women with the best possible care close to home.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard, joined by the Member for Oatley Mark Coure, Parliamentary Secretary for Families, Disability and Emergency Services Melanie Gibbons and Member for Miranda Eleni Petinos, today officially opened the unit and met some of its first newborns.
“This modern, state-of-the-art unit has been carefully designed with thoughtful consideration of the needs of women during childbirth, featuring the very latest technology and equipment for maternity care,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The NSW Government’s $11.5 million upgrade doubles the size of St George Hospital’s previous birth facilities so that more women in the local community can access world-class birth facilities and care close to home.”
The upgrade provides eight new birth rooms with deep baths for women in labour, two actue observation rooms and new neonatal monitoring technology.
Mr Coure said the unit is now very close to the operating theatres, two of which were refurbished as part of the upgrade.
“The NSW Government is delivering on its commitment to provide world-class healthcare to the people of NSW and this new birth unit is great news for families of the St George region and beyond,” Mr Coure said.
Ms Gibbons said the birth unit is also co-located to a separate new Pregnancy Assessment Unit, with its own waiting area and consulting room, providing extra support to the birth unit.
“This new birth unit will provide exceptional care to the some 2,300 women who give birth at the hospital each year and meet the growing needs of our local community.”
Ms Petinos said: “This means local mums and their newborns will receive more timely care and have the best possible experience at this very important stage of their lives.”
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District will also benefit from the NSW Government’s $2.8 billion commitment to recruit a record 8,300 frontline health staff over the next term, including 5,000 additional nurses and midwives.

The first sod has been turned for major construction today for the Parramatta Light Rail project, which will transform the Greater Parramatta region.
Acting Minister for Transport and Roads Paul Toole said it was an exciting time for Greater Parramatta as works ramp up for the new high-frequency light rail.
“Today marks a significant step on a project that will transform transport connectivity in a growing part of Sydney,” Mr Toole said.
“The new 12-kilometre light rail project will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia, and is set to open in 2023.
“We’ve already hit the ground running with the decommissioning works along the closed Carlingford rail line, in preparation for its conversion to light rail.”
Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said the project was a major win for the region, as it would support the creation of new communities.
“This Parramatta Light Rail will bring people living in Greater Parramatta together with a safe and efficient public transport network,” Mr Lee said.
“It will improve connections to popular key destinations across the region, while also linking into Sydney’s greater public transport networks.
Mr Toole said Transport for NSW was working hard to minimise the impacts of construction on businesses and the local community.
“Some disruption is unavoidable, which is why we will continue working with businesses to ensure they have the information and support they need,” Mr Toole said.
“Transport for NSW will also pause construction from 1 November until 31 January each year along ‘Eat Street’ to allow businesses to take advantage of the holiday trading period.
“During this time, events and activities will be put on to support local businesses and encourage families and friends to continue to enjoy all that is on offer.”
From this Saturday, 1 February, Church Street between Macquarie and Market Streets will be closed to traffic, with diversions in place. Motorists will be encouraged to use Marsden and Smith Streets. The free 900 shuttle bus service will also run on a new route along George Street in the Parramatta CBD.
For more information, visit parramattalightrail.nsw.gov.au.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has today announced an independent expert inquiry into the 2019-20 bushfire season to provide input to NSW ahead of the next bushfire season.
Dave Owens, former Deputy Commissioner of NSW Police, and Professor Mary O’Kane AC, Independent Planning Commission Chair and former NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer, will lead the six-month inquiry, which will review the causes of, preparation for and response to the 2019-20 bushfires.
“Professor O’Kane and Mr Owens have an extraordinary breadth and depth of experience into the matters they will be examining. I am confident their inquiry will be comprehensive and robust,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“NSW is incredibly proud of the efforts of all our emergency services personnel and volunteers throughout this ongoing bushfire season, but the scale of these fires has been unprecedented and we must leave no stone unturned.
“This inquiry will allow NSW to learn from this season and the catastrophic conditions we’ve faced, and apply these learnings for the future.”
Ms Berejiklian said recovery efforts are ongoing and remain the NSW Government’s focus, as we work to ensure communities are supported as they begin to rebuild.
“Unfortunately the fire season is not over. Whilst we are focussed on the rebuilding process we are mindful of the remaining fire threats,” Ms Berejiklian said.
The inquiry will commence within days and accept submissions from the public.
A report will be submitted to the Premier at its conclusion.

The NSW Government has offered a boost to women in business, with Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee and Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor launching a free online mentoring program.
The landmark $7 million Women in Business program provides practical resources for women running small businesses, micro-businesses or start-ups.
New ABS data has revealed more than a third of the nation’s small businesses are headed by women, with 12.1 per cent of the nation’s 5.9 million female employees now their own boss.
Mr Lee said the NSW Government, through TAFE NSW, was determined to support this entrepreneurial spirit by providing as much support as possible to women in business.
“Women now have access to a range of free online information, advice from leading Australian entrepreneurs, as well as events and workshops,” Mr Lee said.
The Women in Business program connects business owners with a range of resources and support services provided by the NSW Government.
Mrs Taylor said the NSW Government wants to ensure that women-led businesses have the best possible opportunity to succeed.
“The Women in Business program will ensure entrepreneurial women across the state are supported, regardless of where they live,” Mrs Taylor said.
“It also allows businesswomen to select the resources that best suit their needs, at a time that is convenient to them.”
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said women-led businesses play a vital role in the State’s economy.
“The NSW Government wants to see even more women succeed in small business which is why we are giving them the support they need to get ahead,” he said.
The program is part of the NSW Women’s Strategy for 2018-2022. Participants can access training topics such as creating a business plan, keeping your business cyber-safe and leveraging social media.
To register for the free program visit tafensw.edu.au/womeninbusiness or call 131 601.