Category: NSW News

The Deputy Premier John Barilaro today announced the fifth Special Activation Precinct in NSW to be established in Williamtown, bringing the total investment for Special Activation Precincts to $1 billion, attracting new investment and creating thousands of new jobs.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro today visited BAE Systems in Williamtown and announced the brand new Precinct would be a national and international defence and aerospace hub.
“With the fifth Precinct announced today, we have essentially created a roadmap for investment across this state,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Special Activation Precincts are about making it easier and more attractive for businesses to set up in regional NSW, create more jobs, and grow our regional engine industries such as freight and logistics, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, tourism, hospitality and defence.
We estimate that these precincts will create at least 15,000 jobs across the regions, but we expect that number to climb.
“Precincts have already been announced for Parkes, Wagga Wagga, Moree and the Snowy Mountains and today I’m very happy to add Williamtown to that list, as we create a network of world-class hubs across NSW to fuel regional economies for decades to come.”
The Williamtown Special Activation Precinct will turbocharge the region’s growth as a national and international defence and aerospace hub. The NSW Government will explore 10,000 hectares around the Port Stephens local government area, including Newcastle Airport and surrounds, and will build on the Government’s existing $11.79 million investment into the Astra Aerolab precinct through the Growing Local Economies Fund.
“Special Activation Precincts are master-planned precincts that will offer investors benefits such as streamlined planning approvals, Government led infrastructure and studies, and a business concierge service,” Mr Barilaro said.
“This is about attracting more money to regional NSW, creating job and career opportunities for locals and people who are keen to re-locate, and cutting red and green tape to support job growth in the wake of COVID-19, bushfires and drought.”
The Deputy Premier also announced a $5 million commitment from the Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund for master planning and business case work for the Williamtown precinct, which will begin soon and involve extensive consultation with the community, local councils, businesses and industries.
This investment comes from the $4.2 billion Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund which is dedicated to delivering transformative infrastructure projects that will benefit regional NSW for generations to come.
Visit www.nsw.gov.au/WilliamtownSAP for more information.

The NSW Government’s fee-free TAFE NSW short courses has passed 100,000 enrolments since being introduced in April as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the enthusiasm for upskilling during this period of restrictions shows TAFE NSW is a vital educational provider.
“To pass 100,000 enrolments in such a short time is truly a remarkable result. Every part of NSW has embraced the 21 fee-free courses on offer in some way,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This program is assisting people look for a new job or allowing career progression at a time when we are facing enormous economic and social challenges.”
Some key points about the initiative include:

• 54 per cent of enrolments are from regional NSW;
• 46 per cent of enrolments are from metropolitan NSW (Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong);
• ‘Statement of Attainment in Medical Administration Skills’ was the most popular course in regional NSW;
• ‘Statement of Attainment in Team Leader Skills Set’ is the most popular course in metropolitan NSW; and
• 48 per cent of students are studying with TAFE NSW for the first time.

Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee took the opportunity to note the Queensland Labor Government copied the idea to offer fee-free TAFE courses as part of their COVID-19 response.
“As happy as I am for the Queenslanders to pass 7000 enrolments at their last check, if it was a State of Origin match, the score would show a big win for the Blues by a mere  93,000 enrolments,” he said.
Please click here for more information about the TAFE NSW fee-free short courses.

The NSW Government is investing nearly $5 million to plant thousands of new trees across Greater Sydney to expand the city’s green canopy in partnership with Greening Australia and Landcare NSW.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the partnerships will see 172,000 new trees planted in Greater Sydney’s parks, schools and communities over the next two-and-a-half years, with the first 32,000 to be planted by the end of 2020.
“We have connected with leading environmental organisations to increase our tree canopy cover, cool our communities and create great new green public spaces across the city,” Mr Stokes said.
“New trees today mean more healthy shaded public spaces and beautiful tree-lined streets for communities to enjoy now and for years to come.”
The NSW Government has signed two contracts totaling $4.77 million for:

• 100,000 trees to be planted across Greater Sydney, with a focus on Western Sydney with Landcare NSW; and
• 72,000 trees to be planted across parks and community spaces and schools across Greater Sydney with Greening Australia.

The two new partnerships will contribute to the NSW Government’s ambitious target to plant one million trees by 2022.
Landcare NSW CEO Dr Adrian Zammit said the project will help support the development of green spaces across Greater Sydney.
“With the support of the Greater Sydney Landcare Network we will help grow native canopy to cool our city with Landcarers helping landowners and community members participate in tree planting activities.
“Our shared challenge is not only to get the trees in the ground but to monitor and provide education to ensure they survive.”
Greening Australia’s Nature in Cities Director Paul Della Libera said the ‘Cooling the Schools’ program will establish native habitats and help cool urban areas.
“By working together with schoolchildren across Greater Sydney to increase the tree canopy cover in their neighbourhoods, we can lower temperatures and create healthier communities for both people and wildlife. This is particularly important in urban areas given rising summer temperatures.
“We will be partnering with Western Sydney University to identify and prioritise the communities with the lowest canopy cover and greatest vulnerability to the urban heat island effect.”

The NSW Government is investing nearly $5 million to plant thousands of new trees across Greater Sydney to expand the city’s green canopy in partnership with Greening Australia and Landcare NSW.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the partnerships will see 172,000 new trees planted in Greater Sydney’s parks, schools and communities over the next two-and-a-half years, with the first 32,000 to be planted by the end of 2020.
“We have connected with leading environmental organisations to increase our tree canopy cover, cool our communities and create great new green public spaces across the city,” Mr Stokes said.
“New trees today mean more healthy shaded public spaces and beautiful tree-lined streets for communities to enjoy now and for years to come.”
The NSW Government has signed two contracts totaling $4.77 million for:

• 100,000 trees to be planted across Greater Sydney, with a focus on Western Sydney with Landcare NSW; and
• 72,000 trees to be planted across parks and community spaces and schools across Greater Sydney with Greening Australia.

The two new partnerships will contribute to the NSW Government’s ambitious target to plant one million trees by 2022.
Landcare NSW CEO Dr Adrian Zammit said the project will help support the development of green spaces across Greater Sydney.
“With the support of the Greater Sydney Landcare Network we will help grow native canopy to cool our city with Landcarers helping landowners and community members participate in tree planting activities.
“Our shared challenge is not only to get the trees in the ground but to monitor and provide education to ensure they survive.”
Greening Australia’s Nature in Cities Director Paul Della Libera said the ‘Cooling the Schools’ program will establish native habitats and help cool urban areas.
“By working together with schoolchildren across Greater Sydney to increase the tree canopy cover in their neighbourhoods, we can lower temperatures and create healthier communities for both people and wildlife. This is particularly important in urban areas given rising summer temperatures.
“We will be partnering with Western Sydney University to identify and prioritise the communities with the lowest canopy cover and greatest vulnerability to the urban heat island effect.”

The partnership between the NSW Government and the Minderoo Foundation to provide temporary accommodation pods to those recovering from the recent bushfires has now been expanded, with larger, family-sized pods in development.
Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro visited Yarranbella today with the Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey to provide the Willis family with keys to the first 6-person pod.
“Due to such a positive response from the initial 4-person pod roll out, the natural next step was to look at what can be provided for larger families of up to six,” Mr Barilaro said.
“These Minderoo Foundation pods have meant so much to families who have received them from Eurobodalla up to Kempsey. It has been a real lifeline for many of the hardest hit families who lost everything.
“The bushfires that swept across the state last summer were unprecedented, and so is the recovery.
“I am thrilled to be here with the Willis family to give them the keys to their new 40-foot pod.”
Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey said 43 temporary accommodation pods have now been delivered across NSW, six of which arrived in Nambucca this week.
“I cannot tell you how important this lifeline is for many who have seen the worst of the bushfires and in some cases, have lost everything,” Ms Pavey said.
“There are a small number of families where the current pod isn’t suitable as they have 3 to 4 children. I am pleased that there is now a tailored option for larger families, which is the first of its kind in NSW.”
The family sized pods will be around twice the length of a standard pod and designed to fit six beds, including a double for the parents.
Minderoo Foundation CEO Andrew Hagger said that the Minderoo Foundation exists to help Australians in their time of need.
“When our Fire Fund was launched, Andrew and Nicola Forrest made it clear that Minderoo Foundation was here to help for the long-term. We knew it wasn’t going to be a quick or easy rebuild,” Mr Hagger said.
“Today I am proud to say we have a dedicated team of people who are on the ground across NSW helping those who lost everything get back on their feet. the Minderoo Foundation is not going anywhere. We will never give up.”
The initial program announced in March will see more than 100 20-foot temporary accommodation pods designed to house small families, singles or couples, with a bathroom, kitchen and four beds.

The NSW Government will pause pay rises for the next 12 months to protect public service jobs as unemployment spikes across NSW.
The latest jobs data from the ABS shows 221,400 people have been put out of work and wages are falling across the State since COVID-19 first reached NSW.
The policy change will see current pay levels retained, with an unprecedented guarantee of no forced redundancies for all workers who are not senior executives across the NSW public sector for a year.
This pause will save NSW taxpayers around $3 billion.
Pausing pay rises will enable the Government to focus on preserving existing public sector jobs while also stimulating job-creation as NSW confronts the prospect of a deep recession and contraction of the economy.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said while the decision was difficult, it was the fairest one for the people of NSW.
“Whilst we are recovering from the health consequences of the pandemic we have yet to come to terms with the economic shock. Job security is essential on our path to recovery,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The only way NSW will come out of this crisis in a strong position is if we all make sacrifices, and that’s what we’re asking our own workforce to do because we are all in this together.”
ABS data shows that between 14 March and 2 May this year, total employee wages for NSW fell by 4.9 per cent, despite total wages growing in a small number of sectors including public administration and safety, health and social services, education and training. For workers in accommodation and food services, manufacturing, and professional, scientific and technical services, total wages plunged by more than 12 per cent.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the people of NSW were relying on the Government to make job retention and creation a top priority.
“This is a tough decision, but it’s for the greater good of our people and our State,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Nearly 90 per cent of NSW workers are in the private sector, and many of them have already suffered forced stand-downs, leave without pay, significant pay cuts, job uncertainty or losing their livelihoods altogether. The government needs its focus squarely on rebuilding the economy and regenerating jobs.
“The RBA has forecast that the national unemployment rate will reach 10 per cent by the middle of the year, and the massive queues outside Centrelink show how hard it already is, so we will use every bit of fiscal firepower to get NSW working again.
“We have to do whatever it takes to make sure we do not end up with a group of long-term unemployed workers who were forced out of the workforce or young workers who never get a go.
“Pausing pay rises to save and create jobs is the right thing to do, and I think most people would agree on that – especially the people whose pay has actually gone backwards, or whose jobs are gone.”
This is the first change to the Government’s public sector wages policy in nine years. Over that time, the NSW public sector wage has increased by just under a cumulative 25 per cent – an average annual increase of 2.6 per cent.
The NSW labour force is comprised of around 4.2 million people, with the latest Public Service Commission data showing NSW public service workers numbered 407,999 as of June 2019.
The new wages policy will be implemented by regulation and will apply prospectively. For workers with agreements already struck, the pay rise pause will apply for the first 12 months of their next agreement.
The pausing of pay rises will be applied to all positions across the Government, including those within State Owned Corporations, departmental secretaries and executives, and follows the Government’s decision to reject a pay rise for Liberal and Nationals MPs.
The latest ABS data shows the NSW unemployment rate rose 1.1 percentage points to 6.0 per cent in April this year, with over 221,400 fewer people employed in NSW from March to April 2020.

The NSW Government is providing more than $420 million in financial relief this year to help keep businesses in business and people in jobs by reducing insurance premiums for businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and maintaining current premium levels.
The NSW Government has requested that workers insurance premiums remain unchanged in another move to cushion the impacts of COVID-19 and stimulate the economy.
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet today confirmed premium rates for the Nominal Insurer, which protects more than 325,000 businesses and their 3.2 million workers, will remain unchanged from 30 June 2020, saving businesses across the State more than $325 million.
“The Government has deferred or waived a number of taxes, fees, and levies and I have asked icare to do the same despite the scheme being heavily impacted by market volatility associated with coronavirus,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This is another example of our ongoing support for NSW businesses as they deal with the impacts of COVID-19 with icare contacting around 3,000 customers to assist in premium adjustments, payment deferrals and offer advice.
“Employers across the State should have confidence the NSW Government is considering all options available to keep people in jobs and businesses in business.”
icare has already reduced premiums by $52 million for more than 10,000 businesses who have adjusted their estimated wages as a result of challenges related to COVID-19.
In addition, icare has paused more than $43 million in premiums for 2,000 customers facing financial hardship.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said there was no doubt businesses had been hit hard during this challenging time.
“We’re taking action to ensure a higher insurance premium is one less thing businesses have to worry about,” Mr Tudehope said.
“The NSW Government is doing what it can to support our businesses – we have already cut payroll tax, waived licencing fees and provided grants to pay for unavoidable expenses.”
icare NSW CEO John Nagle said despite economic pressures on the workers compensation scheme, premiums would be maintained at 1.4 per cent of average base wages.
“We are working hard to keep premiums as low as possible for NSW businesses and despite the recent volatile economic conditions which have impacted our investment returns and our funding ratio, we are able to absorb the initial impacts and rebalance the funding gradually in coming years as the economy recovers,” Mr Nagle said.
“We are doing everything we can to support our customers in their recovery during this difficult time.
“We recognise there is still ongoing change for many businesses across the State and customers are encouraged to get in contact to discuss their individual needs.”
Customers can contact icare on 13 44 22 to discuss their individual business circumstances. Further details on COVID-19 measures and impacts are available on the icare website.
In 2015, the NSW Government undertook the biggest transformation of the workers compensation scheme in 30 years improving outcomes for injured motorists and workers and icare continues to drive change to provide excellent care and support.

Domestic violence victim-survivors will have more vital help available during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the NSW and Federal Governments today investing more than $21 million to boost frontline services and other supports.
The investment comprises $12.8 million from the NSW Government and $8.8 million from the Commonwealth Government.
NSW Attorney General and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Mark Speakman said the pandemic has potentially increased the risk of abuse in already violent homes.
“Strict health orders in recent weeks have told people to stay home to help slow the spread of COVID-19. But domestic violence victims don’t have a safe home to begin with, so more have sought assistance and are presenting with more complex needs,” Mr Speakman said.
“Today’s package responds to a range of issues raised with the Government to help protect women and children and ultimately to save lives.”
Federal Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said the Australian Government moved quickly to commit $150 million to support states and territories and ensure services had the capacity to manage the fallout of the pandemic.
“Programs that provide safer housing, emergency accommodation, counselling, crisis support, helpline support, behaviour change programs and interventions, as well as responding to challenges in rural and remote locations are the priority,” Minister Ruston said.
“We are working closely with all states and territories to identify funding priorities and to find the best way forward to improve support for those at-risk of violence.”
NSW Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said every person has the right to live a life free from violence and these funds will benefit all victims seeking support.
“This investment will help highly vulnerable people right across NSW, particularly Aboriginal, multicultural and regional and remote women, who face extra barriers when they take the courageous step of reporting their abuse,” Mrs Taylor said.
Helen Silvia, Chairperson of Domestic Violence NSW (DVNSW) the state’s peak body for specialist domestic violence services, welcomed the Government’s funding and said it would help support victim-survivors during the pandemic and recovery period.
“Our members have reported increased complexity working with women experiencing domestic violence, while our workforce and services are also facing more pressures due to COVID-19, so these funds will certainly help to alleviate that,” Ms Silvia said.
Today’s announcement will deliver the following additional supports:
Frontline support services

• Funding for frontline specialist domestic violence services to respond to increasing demand and complexity of cases;
• A boost for the 24/7 NSW Domestic Violence Line that provides crisis counselling and support referrals;
• Increasing staff at Legal Aid’s NSW Domestic Violence hotline, while bolstering legal information available online;
• More service capacity at the State’s Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services; and
• Resources for targeted responses to especially vulnerable groups like Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, people with disability, multicultural communities, LGBTIQ communities and women living in rural and remote areas.

Escaping violent homes

• Access to more funding for the State’s 84 women’s refuges for additional staff, more training, and basic supports like food vouchers or safe phones for victims;
• Funding to allow companion animals to be accommodated in women’s refuges or animal shelters so women can leave violent homes without worrying their pet will be harmed; and
• A six-month ‘pop-up’ safe house in the Manly area to give highly vulnerable women and their children temporary and emergency accommodation.

Staying safe at home

• More duress alarm devices for victims to access if they’re remaining in their home as part of the Staying Home Leaving Violence (SHLV) program;
• Improved access to services for SHLV clients; and
• Temporary accommodation for perpetrators if they’re removed from a property by police and have nowhere else to stay (or based on protection orders) so that victims can remain safely at home.

Holding perpetrators to account

• A boost in funding for men’s behaviour change programs to respond to heightened demand while adjusting their service delivery to work remotely, if required;
• More support for No To Violence to expand their training and support for frontline staff who deliver perpetrator programs across NSW; and
• Funding for an app that helps perpetrators understand and therefore comply with Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVOs).

Raising awareness

• Extension of Toolbox Talks – a program that educates and empowers thousands of workers in the construction and mining industries to identify and report abuse; and
• A digital campaign to support victims and encourage the community to report domestic violence.

Thousands of passengers are set to benefit from a new Customer Management Team to help keep people safe on the Sydney Trains network.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance today joined Transport Secretary Rodd Staples and Sydney Trains Chief Customer Officer Suzanne Holden at the new Rail Operations Centre to launch the latest initiative as part of the NSW Government’s COVIDSafe Transport Plan.
“This dedicated team of 80 people will be the ‘eyes and ears’ of the Sydney Trains network. Every day teams will monitor 11,000 CCTV cameras and utilise new real time app technology to monitor patronage numbers and help facilitate physical distancing across the rail network,” Mr Constance said.
“We are trying to save lives. We are trying to avoid an outbreak, the likes of which we have seen overseas where social distancing was not maintained on large public transport systems.”
Transport Secretary Rodd Staples said this is the latest in a raft of measures.
“Last week we launched the ‘No Dot, No Spot’ campaign to help customers physically distance and there has been an extra 132,000 hours of cleaning since March, with regular deep cleans and hand sanitiser units being rolled at 163 staffed stations,” Mr Staples said.
“Our customers trust us to keep them safe, and that’s something we do not take lightly,” Ms Holden said.
“I could not be more proud to lead a team of people who have spent long hours innovating and finding solutions to transport problems we have never experienced in our lifetimes. New features we have created for loading data technology and this new pilot program is setting the standard for the rest of the country.”

A multimedia campaign launched today will target hate and xenophobia including online abuse and in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Attorney General Mark Speakman said there were alarming reports the pandemic is fuelling racist abuse towards some members of the community.
“Stopping the spread of COVID-19 has required every member of the community to make enormous sacrifices. But the challenges we’ve faced are never an excuse for racism, scapegoating or scaremongering,” Mr Speakman said.
“We need to work together to combat abusive and violent behaviour that discriminates against cultural or religious groups as well as other sections of our community.”
The Stop Public Threats campaign will help victim-survivors and the community understand their legal rights, and ensure that threats of violence are reported to police for investigation.
Acting Minister for Multiculturalism Geoff Lee said the campaign is a valuable resource for diverse communities across NSW.
“Racial abuse and racial vilification in all their ugly forms are never acceptable and go against everything we stand for in NSW. No member of our community should ever feel attacked due to their cultural or religious background,” Mr Lee said.
“This campaign will empower diverse communities with information about how to respond to and report racially motivated incidents.”
The campaign includes a podcast, website, videos, posters and social media materials for legal professionals and the community to send a clear message that physical and verbal abuse is completely unacceptable.
It builds on the NSW Government’s introduction of tough penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment for anyone that publicly incites violence against someone on the grounds of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, intersex or HIV/AIDS status.
Minister for Counter Terrorism Anthony Roberts said the campaign reinforces the need to stand firm against any form of racism or discrimination.
“Our response to the pandemic and the worst bushfire season on record in NSW earlier this year demonstrates our community’s incredible resilience,” Mr Roberts said.
“There is a small number of individuals with extreme and violent views who want to divide us. We need to reject this behaviour and protect the rights of all NSW residents.”
Keep NSW Safe – a coalition of over 30 religious and cultural groups and high-profile individuals – successfully advocated for the NSW Government to make incitement to violence a crime.
Its spokesperson and the CEO of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies Vic Alhadeff welcomed the campaign and said it was an excellent opportunity to educate the community.
“One of the critical issues we see is that a lot of people do not understand their legal rights, so this will address misconceptions and encourage people to come forward and report crimes,” Mr Alhadeff said.
To report public threats of violence call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.  In an emergency always contact Triple Zero (000). For more information on the “Stop Public Threats” campaign go to: stoppublicthreats.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/.