16 News

Parents of primary school-aged children are encouraged to download the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s $500 Before and After School Care (BASC) voucher by 31 January 2023. 

The NSW Government’s $155 million BASC Voucher Program helps families with household budget pressures, and more than 305,000 vouchers have already been downloaded by parents. Of these, more than 219,000 have been redeemed at a BASC service to help families with the cost of care. Parents have until 30 June 2023 to redeem BASC vouchers at a participating service.

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said the $500 BASC vouchers are one of the ways the Liberal and Nationals Government are supporting NSW families to juggle work and family responsibilities.  

“We know the Before and After School Care vouchers help to ease financial pressures and give parents and carers increased flexibility with their work commitments,” Mr Kean said. 

“Supporting working families is a priority of this government, with more than 70 rebates and vouchers available putting money back in the household budget.”  

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell encouraged parents to download the $500 voucher before they close at the end of the month. 

“Families with a child going into Kindergarten in 2023 can access the voucher – but with the deadline of 31 January 2023 fast approaching, time is running out to enjoy those savings!” Ms Mitchell said.  

“Before and after school care services are an essential part of our school communities, providing working families with a range of options for their child to have a safe place to learn, play and socialise. 

“Once downloaded, parents can use these vouchers up until 30 June 2023, allowing families to take advantage of both before and after school care and vacation care in the coming months.” 

The Before and After School Voucher Program is delivered in partnership with Service NSW.  

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Victor Dominello said BASC vouchers are easy to download and can be redeemed at their local participating BASC Service. 

“I encourage all parents and carers with children enrolled in Before and After School Care to jump on the Service NSW app or website to claim their vouchers before the start of the new school year,” Mr Dominello said.

“The process of redeeming the vouchers is very simple and a list of participating BASC providers is available on the Service NSW website.”

Customers can register and apply online via a MyService NSW account, in the app, or by visiting their nearest Service Centre. 

To apply or find out more information about BASC vouchers, visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/basc-voucher 

Communities in north western Sydney will reap the rewards from local infrastructure projects including new pools, parks, sports fields, cycling and walking tracks funded through the NSW Government’s $5 billion WestInvest program.  

Premier Dominic Perrottet and Treasurer Matt Kean today announced funding for local councils and community groups in Blacktown, Hawkesbury and The Hills to deliver 21 transformational WestInvestprojects that will change the face of Western Sydney and help secure a brighter future for local communities.

The projects are the first to be announced through the $1.6 billion WestInvest Community Project Grants – Competitive Round, with further successful projects to be announced in the coming weeks.

The 21 projects, worth more than $400 million, include:

· Four new and upgraded swimming centresin Blacktown and Hawkesbury LGAs to provide residents with a heat refuge in the summer months and a place for exercise and relaxation all year round, including:

o    $40.6 million for the Blacktown City Council for the Mount Druitt Swimming Centre Renewal project

o    $77.2 million for the for the Blacktown City Council to deliver the Blacktown Aquatic Centre Masterplan project

o    $30.3 million for the Hawkesbury City Council to deliver the redevelopment of Richmond Swimming Centre project

o    $6.7 million for the Hawkesbury City Council to deliver the Oasis Aquatic and Leisure Centre Improvements project

· $25.4 million for Blacktown City Council for the PCYC Mount Druitt Police and Community Youth Centre– a first-class sporting and community hub to support at-risk youth through education, training and mentoring

· $19.5 millionfor Blacktown City Council for a new First Nation’s Cultural Centre in Mount Druitt,the heart of one of Australia’s largest communities of First Nations people, to strengthen connections to Country

· Funding for community groups including $44 million for the YMCA NSW and $1.6 million for the Scout Association of Australia NSWtobuild community facilities that provide exciting programs for young people and families

· $4.7 million for Hawkesbury City Council to deliver a new Cycleway Bridge over Rickabys Creek in Windsor to complete a continuous path of travel for cyclists and pedestrians between Richmond and Windsor town centres

· $5 million in funding for Autism Spectrum Australia towards a brand-new, two storey autism specific primary school in the Box Hill education precinct to support students who struggle to attend a mainstream or other special needs school due to their disability

· $23.9 million for Hawkesbury City Council to help deliver the North Richmond Community Precinct with a library, indoor sports stadium and performing arts studios to act as a meeting and cultural space, social and recreational hub, and much-needed fit-for-purpose emergency evacuation centre

· Funding for new playgrounds and open spaces including more than $600,000 for the Hills Community Aid and Information Services to deliver the Balcombe Heights Estate Centenary Sensory Gardenwhich will provide an inclusive space for relaxation and passive recreation for all ages and abilities, including people with special needs

· $4.6 million for Hills Shire Council to deliver The Castle Hill Showground – Pedestrian Bridge project to construct a new pedestrian and cycling bridge crossing Showground Road from Castle Hill Showground to Fred Caterson Reserve

Mr Perrottet said the projects funded will change the face of the Western Sydney community.

“This is all thanks to the $5 billion WestInvest program is made possible by the Government’s successful WestConnex asset recycling strategy,” Mr Perrotett said.

“Our strong economic record has enabled long term commitments to Western Sydney.

“WestInvest is delivering three projects in Mount Druitt that form part of broader revamp of the area including a new aquatic centre, a first nations centre and a community youth centre to the value of more than $85 million.”

Mr Kean said while Western Sydney is already an incredible place to live, the WestInvest projects announced today will deliver new and improved facilities, more open spaces and help connect communities for generations to come.

“These WestInvest projects vary in size and scale, offer something for everyone and provide the opportunity to learn, gather, exercise, support each other and connect communities,” Mr Kean said.

“These community facilities will improve liveability across our suburbs and I’m looking forward to seeing shovels in the ground as these projects come to life.”

More than 680 applicants submitted a WestInvest application to the value of more than $7.9 billion. The successful projects were announced after a comprehensive assessment process outlined in the WestInvest Community Project Grant Guidelines. All unsuccessful applicants will be offered a 1:1 feedback session.

The projects announced today are in addition to the 68 projects announced by the NSW Government late last year through the WestInvest Community Project Grants – Local Government Allocation that allocated more than $400 million to 15 eligible local councils to deliver transformational infrastructure projects.

Click here to view images of some of the successful projects that will be delivered in the Blacktown LGA as part of the WestInvest Community Competitive Round.

To find out more about WestInvest visit www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/westinvest

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is encouraging truckies and the freight industry to participate in consultation to improve heavy vehicle rest stops across the state.
 
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the initiative was important because it would help the government address gaps in the rest stop network and ensure facilities meet the needs of drivers.
 
“The road freight industry is critical to our state’s economy, from big business and farmers to retailers and consumers. We all rely on these drivers to ensure our goods get to us quickly and efficiently,” Mr Farraway said.
 
“It is important that we provide quality facilities that support heavy vehicle drivers and improve road safety. Up north in Clybucca we have installed outdoor fitness equipment for truckies to use so they can stretch and get exercise in after a long period on the road.
 
“The NSW freight task is expected to grow by 34 per cent by 2061 and the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is doing everything to support this growth, which will ensure our supply chain is efficient, our economy is strong and our future bright.
 
“We have several projects underway investigating, planning, designing and constructing heavy vehicle rest stop improvements. Industry feedback is guiding this work to ensure it meets the current and future needs of heavy vehicle drivers and the growing freight task.   
 
“We want to hear from the road freight industry, particularly heavy vehicle drivers on what they need and expect at rest stops across NSW and where additional facilities are needed.”
 
The Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association President Wade Lewis welcomed the continued progression of the NSW Heavy Vehicle Rest Stop program, which will provide new and upgraded rest areas for heavy vehicles on key freight routes in NSW.
 
“Rest areas are a vital component of the heavy vehicle task and support drivers to manage fatigue and comply with driving hours regulation,” Mr Lewis said.
 
“The NSW Heavy Vehicle Rest Stop program highlights the commitment by the NSW government to engage with industry to develop a practical and capable rest area network.”
 
Consultation will be open until 28 February 2023.  
Feedback is being encouraged via https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/heavy-vehicle-rest-stops

NSW seafood businesses will be able to net a share in $500,000 worth of grants in a new push to drive further innovation across our local seafood industry.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said expressions of interest are officially open for the NSW Seafood Innovation Program which is aimed at creating more jobs and boosting the value of the sector.

“NSW is the seafood state. Whether it be fish, crustaceans or shellfish our hardworking commercial fishers serve up some of the freshest and highest-quality produce in the world,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Seafood businesses are critical to local jobs and the economies of so many communities along our coast. This initiative is all about unlocking further innovation and growing the value of our seafood sector over the next 10 years.

“We know some of the best seafood across the globe is caught in our waters, including on our South Coast, and this is about backing NSW businesses to continue to sell the highest-quality produce here in Australia and also across the globe.”

All proposals put forward must address one or more of the three key challenge areas including supply chain innovation, product innovation and product quality.

The program will:

· Provide innovators with a new avenue to propose ideas and technologies to increase the value of NSW seafood.

· Offer $10,000 in seed funding and expert advice to individuals, cooperatives and companies to develop their ideas.

· Offer up to $130,000 in financial assistance and mentoring to scale a new product that is already advanced in development.

· Identify ways to improve efficiency, services and outcomes for NSW fishers, fisheries and the seafood supply chain.

Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said the competitive grants program will invest in new ideas and help address challenges facing the industry.

“We want to hear all your ideas, no matter how big or small, how weird or quirky, because it’s this kind of out-of-the-box thinking that will propel the sector into the future,” Mr Saunders said.

“A thriving seafood sector isn’t just good for business but it’s also a big win for communities, the environment and of course our commercial fishers.

“There’s also the potential to find ways to better utilise by-catch, in a range of fields including food, pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements to make our fisheries resources more sustainable.”

The Seafood Innovation Program has been developed by NSW DPI, in partnership with the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) and an industry-led steering committee, made up of members with experience in the NSW seafood industry, product development and innovation processes.

All interested businesses and individuals should register to receive updates on the Seafood Innovation Program.

For more information or to apply visit – https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/seafood-innovation-program

Startups will be supported to develop and commercialise problem-solving products, devices and systems in the biological sciences space through a new $40 million NSW Government program.

Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology Alister Henskens said the Biosciences Fund (BioSF) provides a platform for NSW’s best minds and most agile new businesses to solve pressing issues in areas such as health and the environment.

“This new program will provide financial and entrepreneurial support for startups developing cutting-edge technologies, helping navigate the often difficult transition between early-stage development and commercial success,” Mr Henskens said.

“The $40 million fund will boost the NSW Government’s support of innovative researchers, startups and entrepreneurs in the biological sciences space over the next four years, and is modelled on our highly successful Physical Sciences Fund.

“We want to foster fresh ideas and innovations that will address challenges in energy, health, the environment and waste, and grow successful businesses that create new jobs and industries that will help secure a brighter future for NSW.”

The BioSF will consider applications that target one of the three priority industries identified in the NSW Industry Development Framework – agriculture/agrifoods, medical and life sciences, and clean energy and waste – while also aligning with specific technology applications outlined in the 20-Year R&D Roadmap.

NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte said the BioSF will build on areas where NSW has a competitive advantage.

“This fund will support projects across the branches of the biological sciences including exciting and relatively new fields such as biomanufacturing, genetic engineering, synthetic biology and agrifoods,” Professor Durrant-Whyte said.

The BioSF is funded under the NSW Government’s landmark Future Economy Fund. More details at www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au/nsw-biosf. 

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has today committed to increase compensation for volunteers who are seriously injured while performing duties.

Minister for Finance and Employee Relations Damien Tudehope said this commitment will enhance support to injured volunteers and their families.

“Bush fire and emergency rescue volunteers are pillars of our community and we are committed to enhancing compensation payments to reflect the service they provide to the public,” Mr Tudehope said.

“Volunteers who turn up in a time of crisis deserve this support when they suffer serious injury.”

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the commitment to increase compensation payments will provide additional support to volunteers who find themselves in the most difficult of circumstances.

“Volunteers are our unsung heroes and we simply couldn’t have made it through the ongoing flooding emergency without their incredible efforts,” Ms Cooke said.

“Once legislation is passed in the next term of Government, volunteers will have confidence that they will be financially supported if injured on the job.”

Rural Fire Service Commissioner Rob Rogers said the changes are welcome and will better protect volunteers.

“Our volunteers give their time and expertise to protect communities across the State so it is crucial that they are financially supported if injured whilst carrying out these duties,” Commissioner Rogers said.

State Emergency Service Commissioner Carlene York welcomed the announcement.

“Providing our members financial certainty that if they are injured while volunteering will be of great help in reducing burden and stress,” Commissioner York said.

President of the Rural Fire Service Association (RFSA) Scott Campbell said the Government had responded to the RFSA’s calls to deliver fairer compensation to volunteers.

“We’ve been talking with Minister Cooke about the need to support volunteers with fair compensation, and we’re delighted that the Government has listened to our concerns and increased compensation for injured volunteers,” Mr Campbell said.

The changes involve an increase to lump sum compensation payments for prescribed volunteer workers covered by the Bush Fire, Emergency and Rescue Services scheme (BFERS). The payment available to a volunteer suffering whole person impairment greater than 10 per cent will be increased to the levels available to the general workforce, including ongoing indexation.

Amendments to the relevant legislation will be introduced when Parliament resumes following the election

Up to half of the waste created every week by almost 290,000 households in NSW will be kept out of landfill thanks to $6.2 million in funding from the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government.

Minister for Environment James Griffin said 14 more council areas are receiving NSW Government funding to roll out the popular food organics and garden organics (FOGO) collection service, meaning a total of 56 councils in NSW will soon have the service.

“In NSW, more than a third of the waste we send to landfill is food, where it rots and generates damaging greenhouse gasses,” Mr Griffin said.

“Now, FOGO is revolutionising household waste. It’s a new service that will let households put food waste into green lid bins with their garden waste, where it will be composted and given a new life, instead of ending up in landfill.

“We’re empowering households to take simple and effective action to reduce the amount of waste they send to landfill each week and reduce household emissions.

“The introduction of FOGO services in Randwick has had exceptional results, preventing more than 26,000 tonnes of food and garden waste from going to landfill in the first 18 months, which is the equivalent of taking at least 9,000 cars off the road.”

The NSW Government’s $46 million Go FOGO grants program is helping households and councils divert organic waste from landfill, reduce emissions, deliver a valuable resource and save money on landfill disposal costs.

Almost half the waste in household red bins in NSW comes from food and garden organic waste, and the grants are helping to establish a circular economy in NSW.

The Go FOGO Program will divert an estimated half a million tonnes of waste and instead see it processed into compost and used in large scale agriculture, parks or gardens where it can improve soil health and boost yields.

The latest $6.2 million in funding awarded range from $62,000 to Muswellbrook Shire Council to provide a FOGO service to more than 6,000 households, to $1.8 million for Cumberland City Council to roll out FOGO to 74,000 households. 

Councils can use the funding as needed for the purchase of bins and caddies or to conduct audits, trials and education leading to the roll out of a successful weekly FOGO kerbside service. 

The Go FOGO program, funded through the NSW Government’s $356 million Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy, is helping NSW reach its target of net-zero emissions from organic waste in landfill by 2030.

More than 40 councils already have FOGO services thanks to NSW Government investment of $28 million in FOGO programs since 2013, diverting more than 210,000 tonnes of organic waste annually.

The NSW Government has also invested in a complementary infrastructure program that supported the construction or upgrade of 30 waste processing facilities, increasing NSW processing capacity for food and garden waste by 600,000 tonnes a year.

For more information visit the NSW Environment Protection Authority website.