Category: NSW News

Over 1,800 businesses from across the state have answered the government’s call for locals to fill the medical supply chain, helping stabilise stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE) urgently needed in the fight against COVID-19.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian today announced the government had engaged with more than 1,600 businesses so far and ordered critical items including face masks and shields, hand sanitiser, disinfectants, gloves, surgical gowns and paper products through the Emergency Supplies portal.
“We’ve received an overwhelming response to our call for assistance to meet demand for these key protective products, which prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“I’m proud so many local suppliers and manufacturers have acted quickly to source or produce equipment that protects our emergency and frontline medical workers serving our community in this time of urgent need.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Industry and Trade John Barilaro said 20 per cent of the businesses listed on the portal are from regional NSW.
“We know businesses in regional NSW are struggling, having dealt with drought, bushfires and now COVID-19,” Mr Barilaro said.
“However, people in the bush are resilient and resourceful and that’s never been more evident than now as companies re-purpose their product line to provide medical and cleaning products, to help during the COVID-19 crisis.
“Small businesses are the backbone of regional towns, providing employment and services and it’s great to see them reskilling their workforce during the COVID-19 crisis, keeping locals employed and dollars flowing.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said a team from across Government had been working to contact over 1,800 businesses who had registered on the portal, assessing their capability to meet strict Therapeutic Goods Administration standards.
“Less than a month ago we faced a global shortage of PPE products, and the Premier and I issued our call for businesses to step up and help meet this urgent challenge,” Mr Ayres said.
“Today, thanks in part to their efforts, >we’re confident our requirements can be met in the medium term. We have identified hundreds of new suppliers of these critical products through this process and it has shone a light on the tremendous capability and resourcefulness of NSW companies.”
“We know that local governments, businesses and industry also rely on access to this important equipment for their day-to-day operation.”
To ensure businesses also have access to these critical products, the NSW Government is helping industry connect with these suppliers through the launch of a new, public COVID-19 Emergency Supplies Portal.
“We encourage industry to use this Portal to identify suppliers that can service industry needs across a range of PPE products through business-to-business transactions,” Mr Ayres said.
“Our focus will now also move towards establishing domestic supply chains and supporting local manufacturers capable of reducing our reliance on imports.”
Local governments and industry can access local PPE suppliers by visiting buy.nsw.gov.au and businesses can still register their interest to supply at nsw.gov.au.

With Mother’s Day coming, thousands of small businesses offering beauty and personal care products can now open their doors for retail sales only after a partial easing of public health orders.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the NSW Government decision will allow spas, nail salons, beauty salons, waxing salons and tanning salons ordered shut to now open their doors, but only to sell goods and gift vouchers.
“As we head towards Mother’s Day, this exemption will give smaller businesses a boost as it puts them on an  even footing with larger retailers already selling beauty and personal care goods,” Mr Hazzard said.
“For small business owners in rural and regional areas, the pre Mother’s Day sale is a big part of their annual profits and will help those who are already doing it tough due to drought and bushfires. It means they can put their ‘open’ sign in windows again.”
Case numbers have fallen steadily across NSW thanks to widespread testing, strict quarantine measures and general adherence to social distancing restrictions.
“This exemption signals a positive step NSW is taking towards relaxing restrictions under the public health orders but will still require observance of the four square metre rule.
“In-store activity will be restricted to retail sales only, including collecting goods brought online or over the phone, with customers urged to spend minimal time collecting their purchase. Services like waxing, manicures and tanning are not permitted.
“We know this is a very small concession for these businesses but hopefully if COVID-19 cases remain low, further allowances can be made in the future.
“To ensure the safety of customers and other staff, the operator of the business must ensure that any person who is unwell must not work in the business. Further, they must practise good hygiene and have hand sanitiser available.”
The NSW Government has already injected $750 million into the Small Business Support Fund as a third wave of support measures to keep small business afloat.
It follows assistance packages to support NSW business including $5 billion in payroll tax waivers and other tax deferrals and $1 billion towards jobs creation.

Two teenagers have been charged after allegedly spitting and assaulting train staff at Blacktown Railway Station last week.
About 1pm last Thursday (23 April 2020), a teenage girl attempted to enter Blacktown Railway Station, when she was stopped and spoken to by a Sydney Trains employee about smoking at the station.
It’s alleged the girl yelled and spat at the employee, a 56-year-old man, before a teenage boy, who was known to the girl, ran over and coughed and spat in his face.
Another Sydney Trains employee, a 53-year-old woman, intervened and was allegedly punched in the head.
A third employee and security also assisted; however, the youths ran from the scene.
Officers from Police Transport Command were notified and commenced an investigation.
Following inquiries, officers arrested a 17-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy at a home in Pendle Hill about 11.30am yesterday (Thursday 30 April 2020).
They were taken to Parramatta Police Station where the girl was charged with smoke in or on public passenger vehicle, train, public area and not comply noticed direction re spitting//coughing – COVID-19.
The boy was charged with two counts of common assault and not comply noticed direction re spitting//coughing – COVID-19.
They were both granted strict conditional bail to appear at a children’s court on Tuesday 14 July 2020.

Police have charged three people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 15 COVID-19-related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.
Yesterday’s charges:

• Just before 3.30pm yesterday (Wednesday 29 April 2020), police stopped a Honda CRV on Valentine Avenue, Parramatta, for the purpose of a random breath test. Police will allege the driver gave a false name, before officers located the man’s wallet which identified him. The 21-year-old man was discovered to be a disqualified driver from Newcastle. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, police located and seized a large bag containing cannabis. He was arrested and taken to Parramatta Police Station where he was charged with multiple offences, including not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19, drive whilst disqualified, and supply prohibited drug. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday 15 July 2020.

• About 8.15pm yesterday (Wednesday 29 April 2020), officers attached to Sydney City Police Area Command were conducting patrols in Pyrmont when they spoke with a 45-year-old man, who was unable to provide officers with a reasonable excuse for why he was there. Checks revealed the man had previously been warned for breaching the Ministerial Directions. During a subsequent search, police located and seized an amount of methylamphetamine and a knife. He was arrested and taken to Day Street Police Station where he was charged with possess prohibited drug, custody of knife in public place, goods in custody suspected of being stolen, and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today (Thursday 30 April 2020).

The third person charged has been addressed in a separate media release.
Yesterday’s PINs include:

• About 1.30pm, officers from Kings Cross Police Area Command were patrolling Roslyn Street, Kings Cross, when a member of the public advised them about a physical altercation nearby. Police approached a man and a woman who were involved in verbal argument and it’s alleged they could not provide a reasonable excuse for being away from home. The 36-year-old man had previously been issued a warning and was issued a $1000 PIN. The woman was issued with a warning.

• About 12.45pm, officers from Central West Police District spoke to a 32-year-old man at Lake Cargelligo about the current Ministerial Directions. About 4pm the same day, police noticed the same man walking in Lake Cargelligo and had failed to return home as directed. Checks revealed the Murrin Bridge man had previously been given warnings for non-essential travel three times earlier in the month. He was issued a $1000 PIN.

• About 2.45am, officers from Central North Police District attempted to stop a vehicle on Mission Road, Walgett, however when it failed to stop a pursuit commenced. It was terminated and a short time later, two men – both aged 28 – were arrested nearby. The men told police they had been at a friend’s house drinking alcohol and were unable to provide a reasonable excuse for being away from home and were each issued a $1000 PIN. Investigations into the pursuit are ongoing.

• About 2.45pm, officers from Sydney City Police Area Command noticed a man sitting at the bottom of an escalator in Pitt Street, Sydney, that was cordoned off to the public. The 46-year-old man was unable to provide a reasonable excuse for being in the area and checks revealed he had been issued with a warning on Sunday 19 April 2020. He was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.

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.

Police have issued PINs to five women after photos and videos were shared on social media allegedly showing a group not complying with social distancing earlier this week.
Officers from Nepean Police Area Command initiated an investigation after photos and videos were shared on social media concerning an incident at a home in Penrith on Saturday 25 April 2020.
Following further inquiries, police this afternoon (Thursday 30 April 2020), issued PINs to five women – aged in their late teens to early 20s – for failing to comply with a Ministerial Direction.
A 22-year-old man, who was filmed in the videos, was spoken to by police. No offence relating to him has been detected; however, he was issued a warning regarding social distancing.

The mega Sydney Metro West project will significantly cut crowding on three major train lines, take tens of thousands of cars off the roads every day and support the creation of tens of thousands of new jobs in Western Sydney.
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance is calling on the community to have their say on the project as part of the first Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
“Sydney Metro West is truly a once-in-a-century project which will forever change how we get around our great city.
“It’s been almost 100 years since the Harbour Bridge transformed Sydney. Now this underground Metro is going to be the modern day game changer for our city, serving us for decades to come,” Mr Constance said.
By 2036, 3.2 million people will live in Western Sydney, accounting for about 50 per cent of the city’s population. Public transport demand will also increase, with a 36 per cent rise between Parramatta and the Sydney CBD in the morning peak.
The Sydney Metro West EIS outlines the benefits of the project on the city’s future growth including:
Cutting crowding on existing suburban train lines and stations
Sydney Metro West will ease crowding on the T1 Western Line, T9 Northern Line and the T2 Inner West and Leppington Line, with customers instead changing to metro rail for direct and faster journeys. The reduction in customers will allow Sydney Trains to have more capacity in the west and outer west.
The EIS reveals a 32 per cent fall in customer numbers on the T1 Western Line at Parramatta in 2036; a 36 per cent reduction at Strathfield; and a 35 per cent reduction at Redfern.
The project will also cut crowding by about 30 per cent at North Strathfield, Strathfield, Redfern and Burwood railway stations. This will result in less waiting time for customers and improved performance of Sydney Trains.
Cutting road congestion
The project will also bust road congestion with 83,000 fewer weekday car trips by 2036 and 110,000 fewer by 2056. It will also reduce traffic volumes on Parramatta Road and Victoria Road, improving the reliability of bus services.
Creating new jobs
The construction of Sydney Metro West will create more than 10,000 new direct jobs and 70,000 indirect jobs. Once opened the new line is expected to facilitate an extra 595,000 jobs due to the economic growth generated. By 2036 Metro West will ensure more than 400,000 people are within 30 minutes of the Parramatta CBD and an additional 250,000 people are within 30 minutes of the Sydney CBD by public transport.
Sydney Metro West will move more than 40,000 people an hour in each direction between Westmead and the Sydney CBD.
Faster travel times
The target travel time for Parramatta to the city is about 20 minutes, 10 minutes quicker than current rail journeys. Sydney Olympic Park to Parramatta will be less than 6 minutes – about 18 minutes faster than now. And Five Dock to the city will take less than 10 minutes – about 35 minutes faster than the current public transport journey.
Major centres will also be serviced by significantly more trains. Parramatta currently has 56 trains an hour, but that will more than double to 116 with Sydney Metro. This means rail capacity at Parramatta will go from 65,440 customers an hour to 157,600 customers.
The tender process for Metro West has already started with the NSW Government calling for expressions of interest for the mega project’s first two major infrastructure packages – the delivery of twin tunnels between Westmead and The Bays.
The EIS reveals the new twin metro tunnels will be built on average 38 metres underground, the equivalent of a 13 storey building.
The community is able to provide feedback from today until 26 June. This is one of three EISs for the project due to its scale, and the community will have further opportunities to comment.

The NSW planning system will keep moving throughout COVID-19 to keep people in jobs and the economy moving, with all public hearings and meetings to be held online during the pandemic.
The Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 has been amended today to set out the minimum requirements for all planning panels holding public hearings and meetings using telephone and video conferencing.
Planning and Pubic Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the amendment is vital to clarify the legal requirements for public hearings and meetings during the pandemic and ensure planning bodies can continue to operate without delay.
“A fundamental part of the planning system is ensuring people can have their say and be listened to, and we’re using technology to ensure that continues during the pandemic,” Mr Stokes said.
“We are also committed to ensuring decisions on development applications and planning proposals don’t come to a halt during the pandemic so we can keep our economy moving and keep creating new jobs.
“It’s important we are flexible during these unprecedented times and these changes will ensure the public’s voice continues to be heard on planning matters during this crisis.”
The Department of Planning Industry, and Environment; the Independent Planning Commission; Sydney district and regional planning panels; and local council planning panels will all benefit from the new process for electronic hearings and meetings.
Mr Stokes said the amendments to the Regulation also aligns with the broader digital transformation agenda of the NSW Government.
“This is another example of how we are modernising the planning system and using technology to make it easier for everyone to get on with business,” Mr Stokes said.
“We know our planning system will be a key lever in driving investment in NSW as we come out of this crisis.”
The move follows the announcement of the NSW Government’s new Planning System Acceleration Program, which will support jobs and economic growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes fast-tracking project assessments, a new one-stop shop for industry to progress proposals stuck in the system, clearing the backlog of cases stuck in the Land & Environment Court and investing $70 million to co-fund vital new community infrastructure in North West Sydney.

A total of 13 new fee-free TAFE NSW short courses are available online to assist anyone across the State who wants to upskill during the COVID-19 pandemic, following an overwhelming response to the initial suite of courses announced earlier this month.
The NSW Government will use these new courses to replace those which have reached enrolment capacity to ensure there are still 21 accredited courses available for people to study through TAFE NSW.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said around 85,000 people had enrolled in the fee-free courses since they were announced three weeks ago to assist job seekers and workers.
“The incredible uptake to the initial 21 fee-free short courses shows that while many businesses across NSW are in hibernation there is a strong desire to upskill and gain new qualifications during this challenging time,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Some courses have reached their capacity for now so they have been replaced with new courses so that we can continue to provide opportunities for people to upskill during this time.”
The 13 new short courses include:

• Leading Teams;
• Digital Security Basics;
• Build your Digital Literacy with Coding;
• Create a Brand Presentation; and
• Undertaking Projects and Managing Risk.

Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said more than 33,000 people who enrolled in the fee-free courses were studying at TAFE NSW for the very first time.
“The NSW Government is committed to providing opportunities for people to upskill so that they can get the promotion or job they want once this pandemic ends. I encourage everyone to use this time to increase their skills,” Mr Lee said.
Please click here for more information about studying fee-free courses at TAFE NSW.

More than 550 new and redeployed cleaners are boosting the State’s first line of defence against COVID-19 under the NSW Government’s $250 million cleaners’ package.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the fresh wave of cleaners had resulted in enhanced cleaning of vital public infrastructure including schools, TAFE and transport facilities.
“While these cleaners are improving hygiene across the State, this package will provide a much-needed social and economic boost across the State,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Not only will this package support jobs and businesses, importantly it will also give the public the peace of mind that the Government is ensuring our public transport and education facilities remain as clean as possible at all times.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government was on track to see the equivalent of 3,000 full-time cleaners on board by the end of June.
“The thousands of jobs being generated from our stimulus package is also keeping people in jobs, and businesses in business,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We’re hiring new cleaners, increasing the hours of existing cleaners and redeploying cleaners who would otherwise have lost jobs due to the temporary closure of some public facilities.”
The funding has helped Western Sydney company VDG Services, who are sanitising more than 550 State Transit buses daily in the eastern suburbs, keep a dozen workers in jobs after some clients cut back on cleaning.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said this was one example of the Government’s package making a meaningful difference in Transport, where cleaning efforts across the network have increased by over 83,000 hours since March.
“We’ve introduced a number of new measures to ensure our transport network is as clean as possible with crews working through the night to disinfect trains, buses, metro, light rail, ferries, depots and facilities ready for the morning commute,” Mr Constance said.
“People catching a train might see one of our flying squads get on at one station and wipe down the train before getting off at another station to get on another train to do the job again. Or those catching a ferry, might see one of our teams wiping down the Opal readers or cleaning the terminal, making sure people are protected.”
Transport for NSW has distributed approximately 185,500 litres of hand sanitiser to staff, while 300 hand sanitiser stations across all 165 stations on the Sydney Trains network are available for customers, with the expansion to ferry wharves underway.
Thousands of personal hand sanitisers and packets of disinfectant wipes have also been distributed to staff at all train stations, bus depots, work sites and offices, including our frontline workers.
Mr Perrottet said small and medium-sized cleaning businesses could apply for supplementary Government cleaning contracts to help fight the spread of COVID-19 through a new business portal.
“We’re recruiting small and medium-sized cleaning businesses to help existing contractors with the cleaning task, with more than 50 businesses pre-qualified and able to get to work as ready-to-go teams,” Mr Perrottet said.
A compliant application takes around three days to be processed, with businesses placed on a pre-qualified list for Government agencies to engage with.
Supplementary contracts available include;

• General cleaning in low risk areas,
• Enhanced cleaning for COVID-19 risk reduction,
• Environment cleaning of facilities after a suspected COVID-19 diagnosis, and cleaning auditing services.

Registrations for supplementary cleaning contracts can be made here. More information about the NSW Government economic stimulus packages is available at nsw.gov.au.

Small businesses doing it tough due to the COVID-19 pandemic are encouraged to sign up for free-of-charge webinars funded by the NSW Government.
The webinars are being run by small business advisory program Business Connect, and address key subjects to help deal with COVID-19, including how to create a ghost kitchen and how to maximise cashflow.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said there were more than 60 Business Connect webinars and they will provide invaluable information for businesses that are facing unprecedented conditions.
“We know small businesses are struggling at the moment and the impacts of drought, bushfires and now coronavirus have been significant,” he said.
“These webinars are run by small business expert presenters and they will give business owners insights into how they can make it through the current situation.
“A number of businesses have successfully managed to pivot their operation and some of these webinars will provide advice on how to do that.”
The webinar topics include:

• Turn your restaurant into a profitable ghost kitchen
• Maximising cashflow
• Business disruption – innovation
• Diversify your creative income
• Reinvent your business in troubled times
• Marketing to pivot your business

Some of the webinars are targeted at businesses in regional areas and some are in foreign languages to cater for multicultural businesses.
Business Connect advisors have assisted more than 28,000 businesses over the past three years, providing advice and skills training for small businesses.
As a result, business owners have reported increased confidence and stronger finances. Those businesses have also created and supported more than 15,000 new jobs since 2017.
The NSW Government announced on April 19 it was injecting more than $14 million into Business Connect to help small and medium businesses navigate this challenging time.
As part of the funding boost, $4.6 million was allocated to engage an additional 30 advisors to support businesses on top of $9.8 million to ensure the program continues for another 12 months.
To register: https://business-connect-register.industry.nsw.gov.au/Pages/SearchEvent.html