Category: NSW News

Restrictions imposed during COVID-19 will be further eased next month with strict social distancing rules, the NSW Government announced today.
From July 1, the new rules keeping the state COVID-Safe mean:

• The number of people allowed inside indoor venues will be determined by the ‘one person per 4 square metre’ rule, with no upper limit. This includes function centres. All activity must be seated only.
• Cultural and sporting events at outdoor venues with a maximum capacity of 40,000 will be allowed up to 25 percent of their normal capacity. Events must be ticketed and seated and follow strict guidelines.
• On compassionate grounds, restrictions on funerals will immediately be eased to allow the four square metre rule to apply.
• All other restrictions including 20 guests inside the home and 20 for outside gatherings remain the same.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said NSW was able to further ease restrictions due to the limited community transmission of COVID-19.
“The community has worked incredibly hard over the past few months which has allowed us to be where we are today,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“However we can’t let our guard down. People need to come forward for testing with the mildest of symptoms and practise good hand hygiene and social distancing.”
Deputy Premier John Barilaro, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello have consulted with peak business, industry and community bodies on the changes as part of the Government’s reopening strategy.
“We are keen to open the economy in a COVID-safe way. The government will also be considering solutions for smaller venues, particularly in regional NSW, where the 4m2 rule is not practical for small businesses,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The July 1 measures will allow vital community hubs in the regions to open, such as showgrounds, providing a big boost for communities many of which are still recovering from the devastating impacts of drought and the bushfires.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said rebooting these sectors of the economy was vital for the state’s economic recovery.
“We have made the investments needed in our health system and now we need to get our economy firing on all cylinders,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Allowing these centres, facilities and venues to safely open will provide a significant boost to the economy and help keep more people in jobs and businesses in business.”
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the government would be helping business and industry open safely through a variety of simple and easy to use tools through Service NSW.
“We recently launched the online COVID Safe Check, which is simple to use and helps businesses continue to build their hygiene and compliance plans by checking and testing their safety plans – more than 30,000 businesses have already downloaded a COVID Safety Plan template,” Mr Dominello said.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard urged the community to be mindful of their own health as well as the health and well-being of their families and fellow citizens.
“We still need to be vigilant because we have to assume the virus hasn’t gone, and there is no vaccine or treatment on the immediate horizon,” Mr Hazzard said.
“So I encourage people to go about their daily lives, enjoy playing sport or a night out visiting friends but do it in a COVID safe way – maintain physical distancing, good hygiene and if you feel unwell stay home and get tested.”
Music festivals and nightclubs will continue to remain closed in July as the Heath advice remains that these venues and activities pose a high risk of the virus spreading. It is anticipated that restrictions will be eased further in August if community transmission of the virus remains low.
For the latest information please go to nsw.gov.au/covid-19

Plans for a major industrial precinct on the doorstep of the new Western Sydney Airport have been approved today by the NSW Government, paving the way for a significant boost to jobs and investment in the region.
Approval of the $2.6 billion Mamre Road Precinct, one of 12 key precincts in the Western Sydney Aerotropolis, will unlock 850 hectares of new industrial land and see the creation of new public spaces and conservation areas.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the green light for the Precinct is a significant step forward in securing Western Sydney’s future as a global hub for logistics and advanced manufacturing.
“We’re getting on with the job of building a new city around the airport well before the first plane takes off,” Ms Berejikilian said.
“This land release will provide opportunities for international and domestic businesses to invest in Western Sydney, enabling major warehousing, logistics, manufacturing and circular economy operations to be established.
“It will also bring a huge jobs boost to the region, creating opportunities for more than 5,200 jobs during the construction phase alone.”
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the Mamre Road Precinct will also include 50 hectares of open space, including new cycling and walking paths that will open up previously inaccessible land to the public. A further 70 hectares of conservation land, including the Cumberland Plain Woodland, will also be protected within the Precinct.
“Not only does this rezoning secure much-needed productive industrial land, it also safeguards critical environmental areas and provides some fantastic new public spaces for the future residents of the Western Parkland City,” Mr Stokes said.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the rezoning is another milestone in the transformation of the Western Parkland City into a thriving hub, with new jobs, homes, infrastructure and open spaces.
“We already have interested businesses from the transport and logistics, pharmaceutical and data storage industries ready to move into the precinct and capitalise on its future connections to local, regional and overseas markets,” Mr Ayres said.
The first industrial estates for the Mamre Road Precinct are expected to be occupied from mid-2021.
The Mamre Road Precinct was one of 24 projects included in Tranche 2 of the NSW Government’s Planning System Acceleration Program that is fast-tracking planning assessments to keep people in jobs and the economy moving during the COVID-19 crisis. To date, the program has created opportunities for more than 16,400 direct  jobs and almost $11 billion worth of economic investment across NSW.
For more information visit: www.planning.nsw.gov.au/mamreroad

NSW will ease further restrictions from this Saturday, 13 June, with food courts allowed to reopen, the number of people allowed to visit homes increased from 5 to 20, and the number of people allowed to gather outdoors increased from 10 to 20.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said these changes are another step towards seeing NSW reopen in a COVID-safe way.
“NSW acted quickly to introduce restrictions to tackle the spread of COVID-19 and I am determined for us to move as quickly as possible out of them,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We have been a world leader in dealing with COVID-19 and I want us to be an example on how to reopen an economy in a COVID-safe way.
“We will shortly have more to say on easing further restrictions across the state from 1 July, which will keep as many people in jobs as possible.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said every decision the NSW Government is making in relation to easing restrictions is informed by health advice.
“NSW has now gone two full weeks without detecting a single case of recent community transmission of COVID-19 – this is a testament to the hard work of the community,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The cooperation of the public and business, and our high rates of testing, remain our greatest weapons to stamping out community transmission so it’s vital people continue to come forward.”
Food courts must have a COVID safe plan in place when they reopen on Saturday, this will include:

• Abiding by the 4 square metre rule;
• A maximum of 50 people per separate seated eating area; and
• Enhanced hygiene and cleaning processes.

For the latest information please go to nsw.gov.au/covid-19

Adult community sport can recommence at the same time as 18 years and under from the start of next month, as the NSW Government lifts more COVID-19 restrictions.
Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee thanked the community for their patience during the pause on local sports and welcomed its return on July 1.
“Sport is the lifeblood of our community and it gives me great pleasure to say adult sports can return to their competitions at the same time as 18 years and under,” Mr Lee said.
“We have reduced the spread of COVID-19 to the point where further restrictions can be lifted. It is only because communities have followed the strict social distancing guidelines that this announcement is possible.”
Food and drink premises in stadiums can open subject to the same requirements that apply in other food and drink premises and pubs and registered clubs.
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said, on the basis of health advice, crowds could not at this point gather in the stands.
“Today’s announcement is about a staged re-opening of the sports economy in a way that minimises the risk to the public. This makes a level playing field for sports stadiums, in line with the clubs and pubs re-opening to patrons,” Mr Hazzard said.
‘‘With no vaccine and no treatment for COVID-19 there is an obligation on all of us to continue to maintain physical distancing and good hand hygiene. The virus has not gone away.”
Stadium operators will be required to:

• Develop and comply with a COVID-19 safety management plan;
• Operate with restricted numbers (One person per four square metres and up to 50 people in each of the existing seated food and drinks areas, whichever is the lesser excluding staff members, on the premises.); and
• Keep contact details of persons entering the premises.

Commuters will benefit from a faster travel time and more space on Sydney Light Rail, with more than 810 extra services added to the L2 Randwick and L3 Kingsford Lines.
There are now an additional 518 services a week, on top of the 294 services added on 18 May. Service frequency has also increased with services around every 4 minutes between Circular Quay and Moore Park and around every 8 minutes in the South East, between 7am – 7pm weekdays.
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said the new timetable will deliver end-to-end journey time benefits.
“Since the L3 Kingsford Line opened to customers on 3 April, we have used the quieter than normal period to make improvements to traffic signal phasing and the infrastructure and systems in place,” Mr Constance said.
“Since April, we’ve seen end-to-end journey times of around 38-40 minutes for both the L2 and L3 Lines.
“As the new timetable is bedded in, we will see further improvements to the end-to-end journey time with services running around 38 minutes on the L2 Randwick and L3 Kingsford Lines.”
The new timetable will provide another 26,900 spaces each week, supporting people returning to jobs and school while allowing for safe physical distance.
“There is also free temporary event-style parking at Moore Park, where people can drive then jump on a light rail into the city,” Mr Constance said.
On the L1 Dulwich Hill Line, a further 55 services have been temporarily added between 10am and 3pm to provide a consistent 10min service on weekdays.
For COVID-19 travel advice and to plan your journey, visit transportnsw.info

Businesses will be able to check, test and promote their COVID Safe credentials with the launch of the NSW Government’s online COVID Safe Check.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the online tool would help businesses get back to work safely.
“With the recent easing of restrictions thousands of businesses are reopening their doors and welcoming back customers,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We have put industry specific information under the one roof, including downloadable badges for businesses with COVID Safe plans to display in their premises, so customers know they have the tick of approval.
“Customers can also use the tool to provide feedback in real-time. Feedback is sent to the business and, if necessary, to the regulator for action.”
Mr Dominello said the tool is simple to use, with more than 8,000 businesses having already downloaded a COVID Safety Plan template, which is stage one of the process and already available.
“Businesses need to complete three easy steps – visit nsw.gov.au, go through industry specific guidance, and register and download materials,” Mr Dominello said.
“Businesses will be told what they need to do to be COVID Safe. This may include physical distancing, cleaning and record keeping requirements. Once businesses have completed the above steps and finalised their COVID Safe plan they will be able to complete an online self-declaration.
“Businesses will also be provided with advice on how to integrate their COVID Safe status with Google Maps, giving customers a bird’s-eye view of COVID Safe businesses when searching online. This gives them peace of mind and an incentive for businesses to register.”
The COVID Safe Check will go live today and will be available at www.nsw.gov.au

Hundreds of people experiencing homelessness will be supported through the new $36 million Together Home project, which will deliver the largest housing response dedicated to rough sleepers in NSW history.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said the project would change the lives of people who have experienced rough sleeping, including people with highly complex needs, by rapidly securing them homes from the private rental market and wrapping essential support services around them.
“Throughout the COVID-19 response we’ve worked hard to keep rough sleepers safe. Now we’re working to get them into homes with the support they need to rebuild their lives,” Mr Ward said.
“This is the largest single investment made to tackle rough sleeping in NSW. The response will be intensive and pack many months’ of work into just weeks, as we strive to transition people from temporary accommodation into secure housing.”
Together Home will be a partnership between the NSW Government, Community Housing Providers, Specialist Homelessness Services and health services.
The package of support is designed to help get people off the streets for good. It will provide access to the services people need to maintain their tenancy, improve their health and wellbeing and move towards training and employment.
Homelessness NSW CEO Katherine McKernan said a housing-first model is critical to providing stability for rough sleepers, and things like case management, drug and alcohol services and mental health support are so important.
“The sector has worked hard in recent months to get to this point and this additional funding will provide the critical next step to help secure housing and the supports people need to sustain tenancies,” Ms McKernan said.
The project builds on the NSW Government’s response to COVID-19, which included increasing the supply and flexibility of temporary accommodation and the expansion of assertive outreach across the state.

Netball NSW welcomes today’s announcement from Sport’s Minister Geoff Lee that all community sport will return from July 1.
With over 115,000 participants across the state this development is not only vital to their health and well-being, but also to that of the local communities which are served by our Clubs and Associations.
Netball NSW would like to take this opportunity to thank the thousands of hardworking volunteer coaches, team managers and administrators across the state who have kept the game alive in the greatest challenge it has known.
We would also like to thank our Board, staff, corporate partners, media and all stakeholders who are highlighting the challenges community sport faces at this time as a result of the Covid19 pandemic.
While today’s news is a very welcome development it is important to note that road to recovery will be long and arduous.
It is vital that the NSW Government follows the lead of other States and Territories across Australia and provides a community sport assistance package to ensure no-one gets left behind.
The role that community sport will play in Australia’s emergence from the Covid19 Pandemic cannot be understated. Community sport provides a safe outlet which promotes health, well-being, teamwork and responsibility. These are all elements which bring communities together and create a better State in which to live.
With the Premier recently announcing the reallocation of the $800 million ANZ Stadium redevelopment fund to reboot the State’s economy, it is imperative that community sport is made a priority.
It is the grassroots, not billion-dollar TV-funded elite codes, which will ensure sport’s survival. They cannot be forgotten.

The outstanding contributions to our community by NSW Liberal Party members were recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
The Hon Tony Abbott has been recognised with the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for his eminent service to the people and Parliament of Australia, particularly as Prime Minister, and his significant contributions to trade, border control, and to the Indigenous community.
Tony represented the people of Warringah for a quarter of a century, and has contributed to Australian public debate and discourse for even longer. Whether as the Member of Parliament, a Cabinet Minister in the Howard Government, Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party and the 28th Prime Minister of Australia, Tony’s deep commitment to public service and his determination to protect and advance the Australian way of life were unwavering.
The Hon Mike Baird has been made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his distinguished service to the people and Parliament of New South Wales, particularly as Premier, and to the community. Following his election as Member for Manly in 2007, Mike was appointed to the Shadow Ministry, serving in a number of portfolios including Finance and Treasury. After the 2011 landslide election victory, he served as the Treasurer before being elected Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party and sworn in as the 44th Premier of New South Wales in 2014. Mike led the Liberal Party to victory at the 2015 state election, and served as Premier until his retirement from parliament in 2017. He was made a Life Member of the Liberal Party of Australia the same year.
The Hon Bronwyn Bishop has been made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to the Parliament of Australia, to the people of New South Wales, and to women in politics. Bronwyn is one of only a few people to have represented the people of this state in the Senate and the House of Representatives, as the Member for Mackellar. In her parliamentary career spanning almost three decades, Bronwyn served as a Shadow Minister, a Minister in the Howard Government and as Speaker of the House Representatives. A Member of the Liberal Party for some 60 years, Bronwyn has served in a range of elected positions, including as Metropolitan Vice-President from 1982 to 1985 and State President of our Division from 1985 to 1987.
The Hon Philip Ruddock has also been made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his distinguished service to the people and Parliament of Australia, and to local government. During a parliamentary career of more than four decades, Philip served as a Shadow Minister, a Cabinet Minister in the Howard Government and later, as Chief Government Whip in the Abbott Government. At the time of his retirement from federal politics, Philip was the ‘Father of the Parliament’ and remains the second longest serving Member of the Australian Parliament since Federation.
Philip has continued to serve his local community, as the popularly elected Mayor of Hornsby Shire Council. Also a Member of the Liberal Party for some 60 years, Philip was President of the NSW Young Liberal Movement, Federal Chair of the Young Liberal Movement of Australia, and has been the State President of the NSW Division since 2018.
The work of NSW Liberal Party’s Country Vice President Aileen MacDonald was also recognised with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for service to the community of Guyra. Her award recognises years of dedicated service to her local community, organisations like the Rotary Club and the local Chamber of Commerce, and for the Liberal Party.
NSW Liberal Party State Director, Chris Stone, congratulated the recipients on behalf of all Party members.
“We owe a great debt of gratitude to Tony, Mike, Bronwyn, Philip and Aileen for their service. Their membership of our great Party, and immeasurable contribution to its continued success, is a particular point of pride for all of us,” said Mr Stone.
“We would like to offer our sincere congratulations to them and all other Australians whose outstanding service to our state and our nation have earned them recognition in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List.”

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the state’s focus on job creation in its economic response to COVID-19 was the right approach to recovering from Australia’s first recession in almost thirty years.
National account figures out yesterday indicated consumer and business confidence had fallen to their lowest levels on record, reflecting the combined impacts of the drought and bushfires, as well as the beginning of COVID-19 social distancing and travel restrictions. In NSW, ABS data showed NSW state final demand (SFD) fell by -1.5 per cent in the March quarter, the weakest result in 20 years.
Mr Perrottet said the figures were worrying but not unexpected given the impact the pandemic has had on spending, with household consumption down 1.6 per cent, partly offset by a 1.8 per cent increase in government financial support.
“Right from the start of this pandemic, we’ve said we’ve got to keep our infrastructure projects moving and keep people in jobs and businesses in business,” Mr Perrottet said. “That’s why our pipeline has increased to over $100 billion and this will be an infrastructure led recovery.”
“We’ve allocated almost $11 billion in self-funded stimulus support measures – more than any other state – and we’re committed to supporting projects that create jobs across NSW.”
Mr Perrottet said figures for the next quarter are unlikely to be much better and the end of the Federal Government’s JobKeeper program in September is likely to see a further increase in unemployment.
“When hundreds of thousands of people are losing their jobs, we need to divert every dollar to create many more jobs through stimulus programs.”
“That’s why we need to hit the pause button on public sector pay rises so that we can get thousands of people off the Centrelink queues and back to work.”
“Household saving increases during times of crisis and a pay-rise would only boost that. What we really need right now is more jobs, jobs, jobs.”
“The only people who are unaware we are in a pandemic-induced recession is the NSW Labor party and they need to get with the program or get out of the way.”
The GDP result is expected to be just the start of bleak economic figures for the country, with the next set of national accounts figures due out in September.