Category: NSW News

Hundreds of shovel-ready projects can get underway to repair and renew showgrounds across the State thanks to $12.5 million in funding from the NSW Government.
Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey today announced the first tranche of successful projects that would benefit from the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Stimulus Package.
“$12.5 million is being allocated immediately to get 393 projects underway to improve and repair 137 showground sites right across the State this financial year while creating local jobs and supporting the local economy,” Mrs Pavey said.
“A further $12.5 million will be allocated next financial year to keep the ball rolling during the coronavirus economic recovery phase.
“Showgrounds are at the heart of communities right across NSW and are multi-use facilities used by a wide range of groups for a wide range of activities.
“This investment will provide a much-needed boost for communities and their economies by supporting trades and suppliers with work and strengthening showground infrastructure for the future.”
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said these projects will be a big win for communities across the State who rely on their local showgrounds for everything from agricultural shows to sports events and farmers markets.
“Hundreds of repairs and upgrades, including new solar lighting, upgraded equipment and new paving will revive our showgrounds while providing support to local tradies and suppliers,” Mr Stokes said.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the work would quickly create jobs at a critical time.
“At time when more than 200,000 people have lost their jobs due to COVID-19 getting shovel ready projects like these up and running is vital to help keep businesses in business and people employed,” Mr Perrottet said.

A woman has been airlifted to hospital after being attacked by two lions at a zoo on the South Coast today.
Emergency services were called to a zoo on Rock Hill Road, North Nowra, just before 10.30am (Friday 29 May 2020), following reports a zookeeper had been attacked by lions.
A 35-year-old woman was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics for head and neck injuries, before being airlifted to St George Hospital in a critical but stable condition.
Police have been told the woman was cleaning the enclosure at the time.
Officers from South Coast Police District established a crime scene and commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
SafeWork NSW have been notified.

Dear Premier,
Netball has always blazed its own trail on the Australian sporting landscape but we have never faced a challenge quite like the Covid-19 Pandemic.
New South Wales is a proud and successful Netball state. Our game is an intrinsic part of life in every community across the state – 115,000 players strong. In normal times we are silent achievers but the time has come for us to speak up.
For almost a century Netball has provided women and girls with a social outlet which promotes wellbeing and teamwork. Netball has given us a platform to shine.
The game’s motto at this time is simple: no one gets left behind. Whether you play in the far reaches of regional NSW or in the centre of Sydney the Netball NSW team is working tirelessly to ensure its plan allows for the viability of Netball in all areas. We all want to get back on the court.
Netball NSW acted quickly and decisively at the onset of the pandemic, slashing its budget in order to remain viable. However, the current situation continues to adversely impact the entire Netball community’s regular sources of revenue, and operating costs continue to be incurred.
The game is facing a financial crisis.
Unfortunately, these issues are exacerbated by a major lack of guidance and confirmation at State Government level when it comes to the return of community sport.
Other states have provided financial assistance and a return to play date for sport, yet in NSW we have nothing. This is even harder to fathom given the Australian Institute of Sport has written the guidelines on how to reboot sport across the country.
At a time when schools are back in session, pubs and restaurants are able to host up to 50 people and life looks like it is getting back to normal, community sport is high and dry without even a hint of when further information might be forthcoming.
We recognise that our problem is a shared one across most community sports. No-one expects us to run competitions the same way we did in 2019. As it has been for generations, our game is willing to be innovative and flexible when it comes to approaching competition this year.
Netball NSW is a non-profit organisation. It was founded by brave, pioneering women for whom nothing came easy. Now we are fighting for survival. It must not be allowed to flounder through a situation not of its own making.
Netball NSW has done everything we can to this point. The onus is now on the State Government to fulfil their duty to 115,000 players in NSW and tell us when we can return to Netball.
Signed:
– Maddy Proud, Captain – NSW Swifts
– Briony Akle, Head Coach – NSW Swifts
– Jo Harten, Captain – Giants Netball
– Caitlin Bassett, Captain – Australian Diamonds
– Julie Fitzgerald, Head Coach, Giants Netball

City of Newcastle has welcomed news that mass sand nourishment for Stockton Beach is a step closer following the Deputy Premier’s announcement of the Stockton Erosion Taskforce’s membership and terms of reference.
Minister Barilaro made the announcement during a visit to Newcastle earlier today, where he confirmed City of Newcastle would play a key role with the Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and a senior City engineer on the Taskforce.
^{(L-R): Member for Newcastle Mr Tim Crakanthorp MP, NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro, Dr Ron Boyd, Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Mark Armstrong, Geological Survey of NSW.}
The Taskforce has been formed following the placement of the City’s draft Stockton Coastal Management Plan (CMP) on public exhibition. The CMP is a long-term plan to manage the erosion at Stockton which includes working with the Taskforce on a pathway for mass offshore sand nourishment.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the official formation of the Taskforce was a critical step in achieving the best outcome for Stockton Beach and the Newcastle community.
“It is important that City of Newcastle plays a key role on the Stockton Erosion Taskforce and today’s announcement will allow that to happen,” the Lord Mayor said.
“We have developed a draft Stockton CMP in partnership with the local community, and in collaboration with the NSW Government, knowing that the Deputy Premier is committed to working closely with us to address long term erosion at Stockton.
“This issue is bigger than us as a City and any one Government department, which is why the Taskforce is so important in cutting through silos and determining a clear pathway for mass sand nourishment.
“I met with the Deputy Premier today to again discuss the future of Stockton Beach and I look forward to working with him and the Taskforce from our first meeting next month.”
“On behalf of the City of Newcastle, I thank the Deputy Premier for his ongoing commitment to finding a long term solution to address coastal erosion at Stockton Beach.”
The purpose of the Taskforce is to provide advice and recommendations to both the NSW Government and City of Newcastle on such issues as sand sourcing, actions to mitigate loss of community amenity and seeking the priority capital and operational funding required.
The Deputy Premier will Chair the Taskforce, which will also feature representatives from the Worimi Aboriginal Land Council, Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Department of Regional NSW, Port of Newcastle and the NSW Coastal Council.
The Chair of the Stockton Community Liaison Group, Barbara Whitcher, will also take up a position. Two other community representatives will also hold positions on the Taskforce along with the Member for Newcastle Mr Tim Crakanthorp MP.
To find out more and provide feedback on the draft Stockton CMP, visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/YourSay

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.