Category: NSW News

The 2019 HART Senior State Titles drew to a close after three fantastic days of action at the Campbelltown and Camden & District Netball Associations for Saturday to Monday, 8-10 June .
Formerly known as the Netball NSW State Championships, the Senior State Titles saw 180 teams from 89 Associations take part over the long weekend.
Three sets of State Champions were crowned with the Division 1 winners in each respective age-group (Opens, 17/U and 15/U) taking the titles – Newcastle, Penrith and Liverpool.
Campbelltown Netball Association hosted Divisions 1 and 2 of the Opens, 17s, and 15s age-groups, while the Camden & District Netball Association staged games in Divisions 3 and 4 of the 17s and 15s categories.
There was further success for Newcastle, who won the Weston OAM Country Championship Trophy, awarded to the highest ranked regional team in the top Opens division.
Netball NSW would like to congratulate all the winners and runners up listed below, as well at everyone who participated in another wonderful advertisement for the strength of grassroots netball.
Opens Division 1
Winners: Newcastle
Runners up: Manly Warringah
Opens Division 2
Winners: Ulladulla & Districts
Runners up: Maitland
Pat Weston OAM Country Championship Trophy
Winners: Newcastle
17/U Division 1
Winners: Penrith District
Runners up: Ku-ring-gai
17/U Division 2
Winners: Barellan & District
Runners up: Inner Western Suburbs
17/U Division 3
Winners: Brunswick Byron
Runners up: Coffs Harbour
17/U Division 4
Winners: West Wyalong
Runners up: Narranderra
15/U Division 1
Winners: Liverpool City
Runners up: Penrith District
15/U Division 2
Winners: Ballina
Runners up: Illawarra District
15/U Division 3
Winners: Shoalhaven
Runners up: Nelson Bay
15/U Division 4
Winners: West Wyalong
Runners up: Kurri Kurri

Residents across Sydney will soon have access to new playgrounds, walking trails, and cycleways as part of a $19 million transformation of government-owned land.
The upgrades are the next phase of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government’s $50 million commitment in the 2019-20 Budget to create new and improved open spaces.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said communities in Beaumont Hills, Kogarah and Frenchs Forest are next in line to benefit from the investment.
“We want everyone in Greater Sydney to have better access to high-quality open space, given the significant benefits it brings to health and wellbeing,” Mr Stokes said.
Improvements will include $9 million for walking tracks and bike trails in Frenchs Forest; $6 million for a new running track or playground at Kempt Field in Kogarah; and $4 million to add nature trails to open space at Withers Road in Beaumont Hills, as well as pathways between Smalls Creek and Caddies Creek.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the remaining $31 million will be used to upgrade open space in Appin, Ermington, Hurstville, Leppington and Penrith.
“We are also investing $100 million to buy land across the State that will be transformed into parks and playgrounds for communities to enjoy,” Mr Perrottet said.
The announcement of park upgrades coincides with the release of the Greater Sydney Outdoor Survey, which found residents want open spaces that are free, inclusive, and able to be used for activities including walking, picnics, and barbeques.
Mr Stokes said the findings of the survey would help inform how money under the Strategic Open Spaces program will be spent.
“Sydneysiders love the outdoors – whether it be running, hiking, cycling or relaxing at the park with family and friends, so this funding will go a long way to maintaining and improving that lifestyle,” Mr Stokes said.

Every student across NSW will have the opportunity to accelerate their learning and study at higher levels, under a NSW Government plan to lift academic performance at all public schools.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Education Minister Sarah Mitchell unveiled the plan today at Alexandria Park Community School where they also announced a new selective school will be built in southwest Sydney.
Ms Berejiklian said the plan was part of the Government’s ambition for more opportunities, for more students.
“I was a product of a quality public education and would not be where I am today if it weren’t for the excellent teachers who inspired me,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“I want to ensure every child in NSW has the opportunities to be best they can be, no matter where they live or what their circumstances may be.”
Ms Berejiklian said the new selective school in southwest Sydney will provide another option for families in the key growth area.
“We know many students are travelling long distances to attend selective schools,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“There is strong demand for selective schools, with around 15,000 applications for only 4200 places. This new school will provide another convenient local option for these students and their families.”
Ms Berejiklian and Ms Mitchell also outlined two performance-lifting initiatives that will be rolled out in every public school across the State.
The new High Potential and Gifted program will identify students who will benefit from being challenged in areas where they show talent. Under the program, students will have access to a personalised learning approach depending on their ability, and will give them the chance to learn above their age.
In addition to this, the NSW Government’s Bump It Up program will be expanded statewide, providing every school in NSW with tailored targets for improving performance.
Bump It Up is currently in place in 137 schools that have the greatest potential for lifting literacy and numeracy and has been an important part of the Premier’s Priorities to raise academic performance.
The program has already lifted academic performance significantly, with more than a quarter of the first 137 schools achieving their targets in the first year alone.
Under today’s announcement, Bump it Up will be offered in every school and its targets will be expanded to focus on five key areas – literacy, numeracy, wellbeing, equity and attendance.
Ms Mitchell said all students should have equitable access to the support they may need to reach their academic potential.
“These programs not only will help lift academic results, they will help prepare young people for rewarding careers and ventures in the future,” Ms Mitchell said.
“NSW is the largest provider of public education in Australia, and we are committed to ensure that every student – from Gunnedah to Gordon – has access to a top quality education.”
The High Potential and Gifted program will be operating in all public schools in NSW by Day 1, Term 1 2021, and Bump it Up by 2020.

A new state of the art headquarters for the NSW Police Force’s Aviation Support Branch will deliver brand new infrastructure to reduce crime and strengthen community safety.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott joined Commissioner Mick Fuller and Sydney Metro Airports CEO Lee de Winton to turn the first sod on the 2.5-hectare purpose-built facility at Bankstown Airport today.
NSW Police Force (NSWPF) will be the $35 million centre’s primary tenant, which will be funded by Sydney Metro Airports and will house five PolAir helicopters and three fixed wing aircraft.
Mr Perrottet said the NSW Government is investing $34.7 million this year towards the upgrade of the Pol Air fleet.
“The NSW Liberals and Nationals will continue to assist police in keeping the community safe by supporting search and rescues, operations targeting crime, reconnaissance missions and counter terrorism operations,” he said.
Mr Elliott welcomed the Sydney Metro Airports investment and said the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government would deliver the new helicopters to support police investigations.
“It is vital our police work with the best technologies to keep our communities safe. This centre will be state of the art and the Government will deliver new helicopters to operate out of the facility,” he said.
Ms de Winton said Sydney Metro Airport Bankstown is the proud home to the majority of the region’s emergency air services.
“In an ongoing commitment to this we are pleased to start the construction of this new facility to support the service provided by Police Aviation Support Branch”.
The centre is due to open in July 2020, and the first of three new helicopters will arrive in late 2020

The HSBC Sydney 7s is headed west with the new state-of-the-art Bankwest Stadium set to host the 2020 tournament from 1-2 February.
Following three successful years at Allianz Stadium and a fourth at Spotless Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park, players and fans from right across the globe will descend on the heart of Western Sydney at Parramatta to celebrate the tournament next year.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said Bankwest Stadium will be the perfect fit for the HSBC Sydney 7s tournament.
“The Sydney 7s is an exciting event in our State’s calendar – it’s as much about the enthusiastic fans in the stands as it is about the players on the field,” Mr Ayres said.
“About half of Sydney’s population lives in Western Sydney and it’s among the fastest growing regions in NSW, so it makes perfect sense to hold this fantastic multicultural sporting event at the new state-of-the-art Bankwest Stadium, where there isn’t a bad seat in the house!
“Not only will it help grow the game of rugby union, but it will also encourage more people to spend a weekend in Western Sydney and make the most of what this beautiful region has to offer.”
Supported by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, the HSBC Sydney 7s combines world-class rugby with a festival atmosphere, featuring live bands, rides and interactive entertainment.
Rugby Australia Chief Executive, Raelene Castle said: “We are looking forward to taking the HSBC Sydney 7s to Bankwest Stadium, continuing our drive to showcase the event in Sydney’s west.
“The fan experience at Bankwest Stadium is nothing short of world class and it will lift the event to another level in 2020.
“It is a massive year for Rugby Sevens next year with the Tokyo Olympic Games and those who come along to Bankwest Stadium in February will find out just why it is one of the fastest growing sports on the planet.”
Fans are encouraged to register at sydney7s.com.au to take advantage of early-bird prices.

More than 1.3 million households across the State can now save potentially hundreds of dollars a year on gas bills thanks to an expansion of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government’s popular Energy Switch service.
In Lane Cove today, Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Energy and Environment Matt Kean launched the expansion of Energy Switch to include gas.
“Winter is here, so now is the time to compare gas and electricity plans. It takes only minutes but could save hundreds of dollars a year. Energy Switch helps ease the cost of living for families by helping them find the best deal,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Energy Switch is one of more than 40 NSW Government rebates and incentives easing the cost of living. Others include cheaper Green Slips and refunds, $100 Active Kids and Creative Kids vouchers and free registration for regular toll users.
Around 7,000 households have already switched electricity providers, bringing close to $3 million in annual savings since the free service launched last year. The average saving per household is more than $400 a year.
Mr Kean said the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government was determined to make energy more affordable for NSW families.
“Energy Switch works by using a customer’s latest energy e-bill and comparing it with every retailer in NSW before presenting the top three plans available. If a switch is requested, Service NSW will make all the arrangements,” Mr Kean said.
“Last year, we saved 900,000 NSW households about $300 million through our NSW Government energy rebates. We’re absolutely committed to reducing living costs, and delivering lower energy prices for NSW families.”
It’s available at any Service NSW Centre or https://energyswitch.service.nsw.gov.au/
The top 10 areas with the highest number of electricity switches so far are:

Area	Average Saving
Mulgoa	$612
The Entrance	$583
Dubbo	$536
Kellyville	$507
Liverpool	$490
Gosford	$473
Lismore	$456
Wagga Wagga	$447
Westmead	$446
Bathurst	$431

More than 1.4 million train trips taken in Sydney every day will be safer and more reliable, including faster recovery from unplanned disruptions, with the opening of Australia’s first purpose-built rail operation centre in Alexandria today.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian joined Minister for Transport Andrew Constance to officially open the $296 million Sydney Trains Rail Operations Centre.
“The Rail Operations Centre begins a new era of rail in Sydney and will set new standards across the country,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Sydney has one of the most complex rail networks in the world, and the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has delivered a new Rail Operations Centre to ensure the best possible service for commuters.”
Mr Constance said the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government continues to invest in infrastructure crucial for keeping people moving.
“Its massive display board is 33 metres long, bigger than that used by NASA’s Mission Control Centre and can track where every train is running at any given time across the Sydney Trains network,” Mr Constance said.
“At similar facilities in Hong Kong and Tokyo, all critical operation teams are positioned in one location, which means better` co-ordination and response to critical incidents on the network.”
Sydney Trains Chief Executive Howard Collins said more than 660 employees will be based at ROC and will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with the final employees moving in over the next few months.
“We have dedicated teams of engineers, train controllers, rail technicians, communication teams and security personnel all working together to keep our customers moving,” Mr Collins said.

The NSW Government today officially opened the North West Metro – the first stage of Sydney Metro, Australia’s biggest public transport project.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Transport Minister Andrew Constance joined the community and construction workers to open the rail line and deliver a turn-up-and-go train service from Rouse Hill to Chatswood.
“This is truly an historic day for NSW with services starting on one of the world’s great metros,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“I am so excited that our hard work and discipline has paid off with this rail line opening on time and more than $1 billion under budget.
“More than 22,000 people have worked on this important project since 2011 and I want to thank each of them for helping to connect Sydney’s North West like never before.”
Mr Constance said the project will leave a lasting legacy which will be felt for generations to come.
“Sydney Metro will forever change how we get around Sydney,” Mr Constance said.
“It is a transformational public transport investment on par with the Sydney Harbour Bridge a century ago.”
The North West Metro is a fully accessible railway and, in an Australian first, each of the 13 stations has platform screen doors to keep people and objects like prams away from tracks.
At full operation, trains will run every four minutes in each direction at peak times, with the ability to run up to every two minutes in the future.
The Metro line is currently being extended from Chatswood to Bankstown and by 2024 Sydney will have 31 metro stations and a 66 kilometre standalone metro railway.

Strike Force Raptor have charged a man with 169 animal abuse and trafficking offences after dozens of reptiles were seized from a home in Sydney’s west yesterday.
In March 2019, the Criminal Groups Squad’s Strike Force Raptor and the Department of the Environment and Energy’s Office of Compliance commenced an investigation, following reports of the illegal exportation of protected Australian animals for money.
Following extensive inquiries, investigators, with assistance of officers from the Public Order and Riot Squad and the NSW Office of the Environment and Heritage, executed a search warrant at Marquesa Crescent, Lethbridge Park, yesterday (Thursday 23 May 2019).
Officers located 12 Shingleback lizards, one Stimson’s python, three young Monitors, a South American Mata Mata turtle, and two deceased crocodiles. The reptiles were seized by authorised wildlife handlers.
Investigators also located and seized mobile phones and other electronic devices to undergo forensic examination.
A 25-year-old man was arrested at the property and taken to Riverstone Police Station, where he was charged with 165 counts of deal in or attempt to deal in protected animal, two counts of attempted export regulated native specimen without permit or exemption, possess non-native/regulated specimen, and commit act of cruelty upon an animal.
Police will allege in court that the man, who did not hold a reptile keeper’s licence or exhibitors permit, captured native Australian animals before they were sent overseas for at least $38,000.
It will also be alleged that a further 147 reptiles – including a Death Adder, 58 Gecko lizards, blue-tongue lizards and 21 bearded dragon lizards – were seized by the NSW Office of the Environment and Heritage under a Commonwealth warrant carried out by the Department of Environment and Energy in 2017.
The man was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Mt Druitt Local Court on Wednesday 5 June 2019.
Investigations are continuing.
Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009 and conducts proactive investigations and intelligence-based, high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts, and dismantle any network engaged in serious organised criminal activity.

Students and staff at Penrith Public School now have access to a new state-of-the-art building, thanks to a $10 million investment from the NSW Government.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell today officially unveiled the new two storey building, as the NSW Government continues its record $6.5 billion rollout of 190 new and upgraded schools.
“The upgrade at Penrith Public School has delivered 12 cutting-edge classrooms, to give students the best possible learning environment to thrive in,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This is yet another example of what our record investment in new and upgraded schools is delivering for students and teachers right across the State.”
Ms Mitchell said Penrith Public School is one of 22 new and upgraded public schools that have opened in 2019.
“Seventeen new and upgraded schools opened their doors to students in time for Term 1 and we have delivered another five in time for Term 2,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The NSW Government will continue to get on with the job of delivering for schools across the State, so every child has access to world-class facilities.”
Minister for Western Sydney and Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres has welcomed the significant upgrade at Penrith Public School.
“Penrith Public School is now the perfect example of Penrith heritage and new Penrith coming together,” Mr Ayres said.
The NSW Government’s record investment in new and upgraded schools is on top of the $1.3 billion to wipe the school maintenance to zero and the $500 million Cool Classrooms Fund to provide new air conditioning units.