Category: NSW News

The Federal and State Liberal and Nationals Governments will support nearly 5,500 jobs across New South Wales through a joint $1 billion investment in shovel-ready infrastructure projects and road safety upgrades.
The funding will be allocated to three key priorities:

• $240 million to fix 11 congestion hotspots around Sydney, supporting 1,000 direct and indirect jobs;
• $382 million to help local councils upgrade roads across regional NSW, supporting 3,500 direct and indirect jobs; and
• $398 million for road safety projects in regional areas, supporting 950 direct and indirect jobs.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said further investment in infrastructure would play a critical role in the Commonwealth’s JobMaker plan and help the New South Wales economy as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Partnering with state and territory governments to invest in more major infrastructure projects across Australia is a key part of our JobMaker plan to rebuild our economy and create more jobs,” the Prime Minister said.
“This funding injection means we have brought forward or provided additional funding of more than $2.7 billion across New South Wales in the past eight months.
“This package builds on the fast tracking of $570 million for infrastructure in New South Wales which we announced last November, locking in priority upgrades that will bust congestion, increase productivity, improve safety, and boost jobs at a time we need it most.”
The jointly funded package is supported by investments from the Commonwealth ($451 million) and New South Wales Government ($569 million).
Premier of New South Wales Gladys Berejiklian said the stimulus package would drive thousands of jobs and improve the safety and travel times of journeys in both the city and the regions.
“This stimulus package builds on NSW’s record infrastructure investment of $100 billion over 4 years, including an extra $3 billion to accelerate projects and create jobs,” the Premier said.
“Projects equal jobs and fast-tracking these infrastructure projects are more important than ever as the economy recovers from the pandemic.
“Building infrastructure will be key to our economic recovery which is why we have already accelerated a number of infrastructure projects, creating thousands of jobs.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Government had worked closely with State, Territory and Local governments to identify shovel-ready projects to help reignite the economy and get money flowing into jobs and businesses as soon as possible.
“This funding will help turbocharge the NSW Government’s Fixing Local Roads program, jointly funding $382 million of projects on a 50:50 basis on the local roads that communities use every day,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“The Fixing Local Roads package will help to repair, maintain or seal priority council roads and see projects start construction in the next 12 months, creating thousands of jobs in the bush.”
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the first round of jointly funded projects would deliver more than 258 projects across 83 Local Government Areas.
“This is money for small projects that make a big difference in people’s everyday lives in regional NSW,” Mr Toole said.
“It means communities right across the State will see work starting on the local roads in their area as soon as next month.”
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the funding injection would also deliver shovel-ready, urban projects.
“We’re investing $240 million to jointly fund on a 50:50 basis a Pinch Point Program that will bust congestion for freight and bus services across Sydney’s metropolitan road network,” Mr Tudge said.
“These small-scale road improvements will make all the difference for mums and dads doing the school drop off, and people on their way home from work.
NSW Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the program was saving Sydney drivers from millions of hours spent in traffic each year.
“Since coming into government we have completed 217 projects with huge benefits across the Sydney network. These include improving safety while busting congestion,” Mr Constance said.
“We’ve already spent $579 million on the Pinch Points program, but we have seen $1.37 billion in realised benefits. It’s these smaller scale, local projects that really help to deliver those massive time savings for drivers and make our road network more efficient.
The jointly funded package is supported by investments from the Commonwealth ($451 million) and New South Wales Government ($569 million).
Commonwealth funding for the package has been drawn from the recently announced $1.5 billion allocation for priority, shovel-ready projects and targeted road safety works.
The additional NSW funding is sourced from the $3 billion Project Acceleration Fund.
The Commonwealth Government has now committed more than $35.4 billion to transport infrastructure in New South Wales.

NSW INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE

Shovel-ready projects
Pinch Point Program – addressing congestion impacting freight and bus services on the Sydney metropolitan road network.Federal funding: $120 million, Total funding: $240 million

• Bus Priority Improvements – Macquarie Park – Lane Cove Road and Waterloo Road Intersection
• Bus Priority Improvements – Macquarie Park – Epping Road and Herring Road
• Intersection Improvements – Showground Road and Carrington Road Intersection Upgrades
• Intersection Improvements – Pacific Highway and Finlay Road
• Intersection Improvements – Devlin Street, Blaxland Road and Parkes Street
• Intersection Improvements – Parramatta Road and Woodville Road
• Intersection Improvements – Georges River Road and Milton Street
• Intersection Improvements – King Georges Road and Canterbury Road
• Install Traffic Signals – Wentworth Avenue and Baker Street
• Corridor Upgrades – Oxford Street (Bondi Junction)
• Corridor Optimisation and Cycleway – Centennial Park to Kingsford via Doncaster Avenue

Fixing Local Roads – repairing, maintaining or sealing priority council roads. Federal funding: $191 million, Total funding: $382 million

Road safety upgrades

Safer Roads Program – including mass action rollout of rumble strips (audio-tactile line marking). Federal funding: $140 million, Total funding: $398 million
Total –     Federal funding: $451 million, Total funding: $1.02 billion

The 153,415 hectare Narriearra Station in far north west NSW is the largest purchase of private land for national parks in the State’s history.
Environment Minister Matt Kean says the purchase will help protect threatened species, important habitat and wetlands.
“Narriearra Station stretches across the outback Channel Country and includes part of the Bulloo River floodplain, ephemeral wetlands and landscapes currently not found anywhere in NSW national parks,” Mr Kean said.
“Narriearra is an important refuge for threatened wildlife, with more than 25 threatened animal species, including nearly 90 per cent of NSW’s critical habitat and breeding areas for the nationally endangered Grey Grasswren.”
Mr Kean said the acquisition secures a key section of a nationally important wetland – the Caryapundy Swamp – which can host tens of thousands of waterbirds including pelicans, straw-necked ibis, egrets and whiskered terns during inland flood events.
“Narriearra along with the nearby Sturt National Park, will create a vast near-contiguous conservation area of almost half a million hectares, or twice the size of the ACT.
“Adjoining the Pindera Downs Aboriginal Area, Narriearra contains many significant and valuable stone artefacts, tools and stone arrangements.
“The property is also linked to the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition, with two expedition campsites on the property.
“In August last year I stated my goal to add 200,000 hectares of land to the national parks estate. I am ecstatic that, on top of 64,860 hectares already reserved, this purchase puts us on track to exceed that.”
The Minister has invited the Tibooburra Local Aboriginal Land Council to suggest a name for the new national park.

Call the police if you see or hear domestic violence – that’s the clear message from the NSW Government, Crime Stoppers and the NSW Police as a new joint TV advertising campaign begins on commercial networks.
Attorney General and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Mark Speakman said the six-week campaign comes after five women were killed in domestic violence murders across NSW in the last eight weeks.
“The brutal killings of these innocent women are just another tragic reminder of this terrible scourge – the latest victim was only 18 years old,” Mr Speakman said.
“I’m calling on the community to be a lifeline for these victims. When you know there’s an emergency happening next door which requires an urgent police response, don’t hesitate.
“Your phone call could be the difference between that woman living and that woman dying.”
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the dedicated men and women in blue need the community to be their eyes and ears across our neighbourhoods.
“Police do an incredible job responding to emergencies 24/7, and domestic violence call-outs can be some of the most violent and volatile scenes they confront,” Mr Elliott said.
“But they can’t respond if they don’t know what’s happening. That’s why we’ve joined Crime Stoppers and police to ensure domestic violence is reported so police can attend, arrest perpetrators and ultimately save lives.”
Crime Stoppers CEO Peter Price AM said home should be the safest place on the planet, offering solace to families – but sadly for some, it can instead become a living nightmare.
“Our mandate is for a safer NSW, which is why we continue to deploy our resources in the best way possible to make it safer for all, irrespective of age, race, or religion,” Mr Price said.
“Crime Stoppers promotes ‘good neighbourly behaviour’, so please look after your neighbour because you never know when they might be picking up the phone to help you one day.”
NSW Police Domestic Violence Corporate Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Mark Jones, said police respond to thousands of domestic violence incidents each year.
“Officers are responding proactively to domestic violence more than ever, with Domestic Violence Liaison Officers in every command and High Risk Offender Teams in every region holding perpetrators to account and protecting victims,” Assistant Commissioner Jones said.
“But we need the public’s help. If you know that someone is in immediate danger, if their life is being threatened, then pick up the phone immediately and report to police.”
This ad campaign builds on the NSW Government’s ongoing commitment to reduce domestic and family violence, including the recent NSW and Commonwealth investment of more than $21 million to boost frontline services in response to COVID-19.
The ads can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/user/CrimeStoppersNSW and will run across all commercial networks and their catch-up counterparts from today, as well as SBS, social media and in doctors’ surgeries across the state.
For more information about Triple Zero (000) and other reporting pathways including Crime Stoppers NSW, visit https://www.triplezero.gov.au/triple-zero/home.

The world’s largest women’s sporting event is coming to New South Wales after Australia and New Zealand won the rights to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™.
It will be the first FIFA Women’s World Cup to be held in Australia or New Zealand and Sydney is well positioned to host key matches including the Final, when match dates and venues are confirmed at a later stage.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the winning of hosting rights was a massive coup for NSW.
“We are ecstatic to be welcoming the world’s best female footballers to NSW in 2023 for this historic tournament, which will deliver enormous cultural, social and economic benefits to our state for decades to come,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“After what has been an unprecedented year so far, today’s announcement is a major morale boost – giving not only sporting fans but the wider NSW community something to look forward to in 2023, while creating plenty of new jobs and opportunities.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the tournament would attract players and their passionate fans from every corner of the globe.
“This will be the first time that the FIFA Women’s World Cup features players from 32 nations, who bring with them supporters from all over the world,” Mr Ayres said.
“This was a true team Australia effort. Our bid was the strongest and securing this World Cup reaffirms New South Wales as a destination of choice for global events.
“It will also play a significant role in helping our local tourism economy bounce back, with the potential to attract more than 16,000 visitors who are estimated to inject $21 million into the state.”
Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee said the tournament will help support the growth of women’s football across NSW.
“This is a huge win for NSW which gives grassroots sport a powerful injection to drive participation higher in the cities and the regions,” Mr Lee said.
“In 2023, there will be role models and heroes that young women in NSW will aspire to emulate and I’m sure this World Cup will inspire our next generation of Matildas.”
“NSW loves their football and we look forward to welcoming the world to play the world game right here in our backyard.”
Football Federation Australia Chairman Chris Nikou said, “The FIFA Women’s World Cup™ 2023 in Australia and New Zealand will be ground-breaking in many ways.
“Not only will it be the first ever co-confederation hosted FIFA World Cup™ and the first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in the Asia-Pacific region, but we will unlock the huge potential for growth in women’s football in the Asia-Pacific region.
“We would like to thank our governments and the Australian public who have supported the
bid from the outset.
“We very much look forward to partnering with the NSW Government to leverage this once in a lifetime opportunity for women’s football, to grow the most popular sport in Australia.”
The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is the eighth addition to the NSW Government’s 10 World Cups in 10 Years initiative, which continues to secure some of the biggest and best sporting events for our state.
NSW has put forward Stadium Australia, the Sydney Football Stadium and Newcastle Stadium, with match allocations to be announced at a future date.

Sydney will be home to the biggest technology hub of its kind in Australia with Tech Central to become a world-class innovation and technology precinct.
The NSW Government has committed to facilitating 250,000 square metres of office space in the precinct which stretches several kilometres from Central Station to Camperdown, including South Eveleigh.
Tech Central will be home to start-ups, scale-ups and innovation ecosystem partners – putting NSW at the forefront of tech development.
Local technology giant Atlassian has committed to become an anchor tenant of the precinct, basing its Australian headquarters at the new site.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Tech Central will rival Silicon Valley as the place to be, establishing NSW as a global leader in innovation and technology.
“Technology and innovation are key planks of the government’s strategy to attract investment and create the jobs of the future for the people of NSW,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We have some brilliant tech innovators and entrepreneurs in our state and Tech Central will help us retain local talent and attract some of the brightest minds in the world. This will be more important than ever as we recover from the pandemic.”
Atlassian and the NSW Government have negotiated to develop and build the company’s new Australian headquarters at the Central site, above YHA Central Railways Square.
The building will help Atlassian expand its strong local research presence, housing over 4,000 jobs focused on product development.
Atlassian co-founder and co-CEO Scott Farquhar said technology can turbo-charge Australia’s recovery.
“That’s why we’re building this precinct. We want to create jobs, ideas and innovation. This will be home to thousands of workers and the best new ideas. If you want to work in tech – this is the place you will want to be,” Mr Farquhar said.
“Sydney has the potential to be one of the world’s leading technology cities and the creation of a tech precinct sends a loud signal that we’re in the race to take a slice of the world’s most valuable market. That’s an exciting place to be.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the long-term goal of Tech Central was to create 25,000 innovation jobs and encourage 25,000 new students to focus on Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) and life sciences studies.
The NSW Government today announced $48.2 million in funding to bring Tech Central
to life.
Tech Central will in time provide 50,000 square metres of affordable space for startup and scale-up businesses and is predicted to bring up to 25,000 new jobs to NSW, further strengthening the state’s economic recovery from COVID-19.
“Today’s commitments show that Tech Central is moving from vision to reality. This will establish Sydney as a major player on the global tech scene,” Mr Ayres said.
“This will be the largest hub of its kind in Australia, a home for tech giants, new and innovative startups and leading talent all in one place, right here in NSW.”
Following today’s announcement, the NSW Government will work to secure further agreements with other anchor tenants.
The precinct will expand Sydney CBD’s commercial core to the south and ensure that Central station remains and is enhanced as a key NSW transport hub.

The NSW Government has today committed to delivering state of the art online vocational education and training (VET) in every government high school by 2022 to continue building the workforce of the 21st century.
In addition to existing face-to-face VET courses, TAFE NSW will now develop at least 20 courses for Year 11 and 12 students into online courses to provide equal study options for senior secondary students across the State.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said the NSW Government is determined to make vocational education available to as many students as possible to combat the skills shortage.
“From 2022, students will be combining vocational skills with academic knowledge. Their mathematics will be paired with advanced manufacturing, their biology with healthcare or their economics with accounting. Students will pick the course that is right for them and study online without leaving their school. All courses available will contribute to the HSC and ATAR,” he said.
The nationally recognised courses will include future focused and in-demand skillsets from industries such as engineering and advanced manufacturing, IT and cyber security, business, health and trades in construction and other critical industries.
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said taking these courses online allows small student numbers in one school to connect with others in another area to form a larger class.
“This initiative will enable a student in a regional area to connect with their peers in schools all over the State to learn something like cyber security as one class across many classrooms, benefitting from industry experts and cutting edge materials”, she said.
“We know many schools are already doing an excellent job, and this policy will level the playing field when it comes to access, choice and industry connections. It won’t matter where you go to school – all NSW students will be given the opportunity to learn the skills that will see them thrive in the 21st century.”
The NSW Government will ensure this initiative is introduced in all secondary schools across the State with Year 11 and 12 students by 2022.

The images of eight Australians who served in the Korean War will be featured on Sydney Light Rail carriages to mark 70 years since the start of the war.
Acting Minister for Veterans Geoff Lee said the photos on the carriages bring to life the enormous contribution Australia made to the Korean War.
“The faces of eight Australians who served in Korea is a powerful tribute to the 17,000 Australians who fought in the conflict between 1950 and 1953,” Mr Lee said.
“Over the course of the war 340 Australians were killed and over 1,200 wounded defending South Korea from the communist forces of North Korea.”
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said the eight stories are amazing.
“As the carriages weave their way through Sydney’s streets, travellers and pedestrians will be captivated and intrigued as they reflect on Australia’s proud military history,” Mr Constance said.
One of the eight images featured in the Lest Korea Forget campaign is of veteran Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Ian Crawford AO AM (Mil), who is passionate about ensuring this war is not forgotten.
“It is very moving to have the Korean War acknowledged for its important part and its ongoing relevance in the Australian story,” Mr Crawford said.
“I think of those who are no longer with us to share this recognition.”
Mr Crawford sailed to Korea with the Australian Navy as a teenager and served in missions to evacuate isolated United Nations units and to support operations behind the advancing North Korean line in extremely tough conditions.
The commemoration is an initiative of the Consul General of the Republic of Korea to thank Australia for the very personal cost of the War to our country.
The Korean War was among the most destructive conflicts of the modern era, with approximately three million war fatalities and a larger proportional civilian death toll than the Second World War or the Vietnam War.
The Light Rail commemoration Lest Korea Forget will operate 22 June to 26 July.

The NSW school curriculum will be overhauled to improve standards, with changes starting in 2021 and all years learning the new curriculum by 2024.
Unnecessary content will be cut, there will be a greater focus on literacy and numeracy, and TAFE and vocational training pathways will be modernised.
A curriculum review undertaken by Professor Geoff Masters supports the biggest shake up of the education system in more than 30 years.
The Government’s response to the review is based on:

• Decluttering the curriculum by reducing unnecessary subjects
• A ‘back to basics approach’ that will see a renewed focus on the core subjects of English, Maths and Science
• Year 11 and Year 12 prequalification for University and TAFE courses.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the overhaul would raise standards and equip students for the jobs of the future.
“The NSW Government will be taking a back to basics approach to the curriculum. Literacy and numeracy will remain the focus throughout a student’s school experience,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We are investing record amounts into education and the results need to match this. We need to make a change if we want NSW to improve by global standards.”
Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said changes to the curriculum will ensure teachers have the time and support to teach the fundamentals, including maths, English and science.
“I want to see all our young people leaving school confident and equipped to succeed in life,” Ms Mitchell said.
“We want a curriculum that leaves no student behind while challenging students who are advancing faster than others.”
“We have listened to the experts when formulating the government response to the Curriculum Review – and I am confident that the changes we will implement will ensure that NSW remains one of the best places to educate our children for decades to come.”
Work to deliver the NSW Government’s new curriculum is already underway.
Facts and figures:

• Approximately 1.2 million students in Kindergarten to Year 12 attend 3100 schools and are taught by more than 100 000 in-school teaching staff.
• Consultation completed during the Curriculum Review found 98 per cent of teachers believed excess syllabus content was leading to diminished educational outcomes for students.
• NAPLAN results for NSW students have stagnated over the last decade.

More families will have access to preschool thanks to a new round of funding announced today, creating additional places in preschools for children on waitlists.
The NSW Government is continuing its commitment to increase access to preschool for communities across the state with another round of Start Strong Capital Works Grants for community preschools.
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said the NSW Government understands that preschool is incredibly important to a child’s development and their performance later in their schooling.
“Not only are we helping cater to growing demand for more places in preschools with these grants, we’re also supporting jobs in the construction industry during this time of economic recovery,” Ms Mitchell said.
Eligible not-for-profit organisations can apply for funding to build, renovate or extend their facilities to deliver a community preschool, or purchase a vehicle for a mobile preschool to cater for increasing enrolments.
The NSW Government has committed $10 million in funding as part of the Start Strong Capital Works Grants program for 2020. This is an increase on the $8.3 million allocated in 2019.
Grant applications from not-for-profit community preschools and mobile preschools operating in areas of the state where there is a demonstrated shortage of places will be prioritised.
“This funding will ensure even more children in NSW have access to 600 hours of quality early childhood education in the year before school, giving them the social, cognitive and emotional skills to transition to school as well as benefiting them in the longer term,” Ms Mitchell said.
Grants are available in five categories, including: construction of a new centre based community preschool facility, extending an existing centre based community preschool facility, renovating existing or new premises for a centre based preschool, purchase of replacement vehicles for existing mobile preschools, and responding to crisis situations.
Applications can be submitted online from now until 23 August 2020. For more information, visit the Department of Education website at: https://education.nsw.gov.au/early-childhood-education/operating-an-early-childhood-education-service/grants-and-funded-programs/capital-works-grants

An Australian first collaboration between the NSW Government, AustCyber and Standards Australia has seen the creation of a task force charged with accelerating the adoption of industry standards for cyber security across Australia.
Made up of a cross-sector group of industry experts, including in defence, energy, health and financial services, at its first meeting today the task force agreed the focus should be:

• Improving the practice of cyber security across Australian businesses
• Harmonising baseline standards and providing clarity for sector-specific additional standards and guidance
• Enhancing competitiveness standards by sector for both supplier and consumers
• Providing greater interoperability
• Supporting Australian cyber security companies to seize opportunities and go global.

Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the task force was another critical step in bolstering government’s cyber security defences and creating a strong cyber security ecosystem.
“We know that the current plethora of different security standards make it difficult for government and industry to know what they’re buying when it comes to cyber security,” Mr Dominello said.
“By bringing together industry to identify relevant standards and provide other practical guidance, we aim to make government more secure, whilst providing direction for industry to build their cyber resilience.
“This will realise our ambition for NSW to become the leading cyber security hub in the Southern Hemisphere.”
AustCyber CEO Michelle Price said trust in the digital infrastructure now driving Australia’s economy is at the core of Australia’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and cyber security functions as an insurance policy for a resilient economy.
“The economy’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has proven Australia can take leaps towards embedding digital technologies, but the quality of this digitisation and digitalisation along with its trustworthiness is now under immense pressure – and is obviously being targeted by malicious cyber actors,” she said.
“There is a risk underlying the speed of digital transformation in Australia, and the new standards will be critical in helping deliver a consistent, industry-focused framework for NSW. The newly established task force will help NSW businesses understand what they need to do to tackle the complex challenge of protecting against cyber attacks.
“This work will also provide a pilot for the rest of the country to enable rapid adoption of consistent, internationally harmonised cyber security standards and guidance. Cyber security is one of Australia’s most promising growth sectors and importantly protects our digital infrastructure and data.”
CEO of Standards Australia Adrian O’Connell said the cyber task force is an exciting opportunity to strengthen cyber security across the board.
“Standards Australia looks forward to working alongside the NSW Government, AustCyber and the members of the task force in providing information around technical guidance and promoting industry backed security practices through the use of standards,” Mr O’Connell said.
The task force creation follows the NSW Government’s record $240 million investment in the cyber industry last week