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Liberal candidate for Ryde, Jordan Lane, welcomed the Perrottet Government’s announcement of a new high school and primary school for Macquarie Park. Jordan said that the local area has been experiencing rapid growth, and a lot of effort is required to ensure that services and infrastructure keep up.

“As Ryde grows, local families need more amenities, green spaces and school spaces,” said Mayor Lane. “We are incredibly fortunate to have had a strong local representative in Victor  Dominello, who’s been able to recognise what our community needs and deliver it.”

“The Perrottet Government has recognised this community’s need, and has committed to delivering the Macquarie Park Education Campus, providing a new K-12 school in the growing area.”

The Liberal Member for Ryde, Victor Dominello, said the school developments in Macquarie Park would further transform Ryde into an education and employment powerhouse.

“We want to broaden the options for educational facilities so that the schools can be located in the optimal place to meet student demand,” Mr Dominello said.

“There is also tremendous opportunity for these schools to support their surrounding communities and to be part of a diverse mix of cultural, health and community facilities along with developments for commercial and residential use,” 

“The need for this education campus is all the more pronounced given the former Labor Government closed Peter Board High School and sold the land.” 

The Department of Education is partnering with Landcom to build the two schools as the Lachlan Line site offers the best location to:

• meet population growth demand in Macquarie Park
• cater for forecasted student enrolment to 2036
• take advantage of strong public transport links.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said that the development of the Macquarie Park Education Campus is a priority for the NSW Government.

“Development of the campus will also provide opportunities for the government to partner with the private sector to drive the transformation of Macquarie Park, creating new jobs and investment opportunities for business, innovation, research and education,” Ms Mitchell said. 

“The NSW Government continues to invest in public education infrastructure with 118 new and upgraded schools under way, including the new Macquarie Park Education Campus.” 

The NSW Government is investing $8.6 billion in school infrastructure over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 160 new and upgraded schools to support  communities across NSW. This builds on the more than $9.1 billion invested in projects delivered since 2017, a program of $17.7 billion in public education infrastructure. This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.
 

Road safety will be the focus of a new Parliamentary Inquiry as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to zero road deaths by 2050.
 
Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said the NSW Government will initiate an inquiry in the next term of Government to look at whether the Road Transport Act 2013 can be improved, particularly when it comes to dangerous drivers.
 
“This inquiry will hear directly from those impacted by dangerous driving so we can ensure this legislation is fit for purpose on an issue that is devastating for victims, families and the wider community,” Mrs Ward said.
 
“In 2021 we recorded the lowest road death toll in NSW in 99 years but every death is still one too many, which is why we’re committed to doing everything we can to prevent deaths and serious injury on our roads.
 
“I thank the Road Trauma Support Group NSW for its valuable feedback and advocacy on this important issue on behalf of families and victims of serious road crime.”
 
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the inquiry will consider the current licensing system in NSW.
 
“Country people make up around a third of NSW’s population but over the past five years, deaths on country roads have made up 67 per cent of lives lost on all roads,” Mr Farraway said.
 
“A death in a country town extends beyond the immediate family to the local cop who attends the scene, to the community who sees one less familiar face around.
 
“These are the impacts that I want drivers on our regional roads to think about the every time they get behind the wheel.
 
“Our aim is to prevent drivers from committing offences and engaging in dangerous behaviour in the first place to stop these preventable deaths.”
 
The Inquiry will complement the Law Reform Commission’s review of serious road crime and the experiences of victims of serious road crime and their families, announced by the Attorney General on 11 November 2022. 
 
In addition, on 17 November 2022, the NSW Government passed the Motor Accident Injuries Amendment Bill 2022 which enables the State Insurance Regulatory Authority to establish a trauma support service for families of those who have been injured or killed because of a motor accident. This new service will provide support in the period after the accident and will connect and guide those impacted by the incident.

All 101 recommendations of the Infrastructure NSW State Infrastructure Strategy 2022-2042: Staying Ahead will be supported in full or in-principle by the NSW Government.
 
Minister for Infrastructure Rob Stokes said the nine key strategic directions and 89 recommendations would be supported in full, while the remaining 13 recommendations are supported in-principle.
 
“The fortunes of NSW have been transformed on the back of this  government’s 11 years of infrastructure delivery, with more than $178 billion in projects built since 2011 and another $112.7 billion in the pipeline over the next four years,” Mr Stokes said.
 
“Throughout that time, the Government has sought the clear-eyed and independent advice of Infrastructure NSW to guide the allocation of taxpayers’ funds towards the projects that are needed most.
 
“By accepting the recommendations of the strategy, NSW will continue to enjoy the economic benefits that infrastructure creates.”
 
Transformative megaprojects will continue in addition to a wide range of less complex projects which can be delivered more easily by local construction companies.
 
“We are determined to transform NSW through infrastructure that creates opportunity, improves access and makes people’s lives better,” Mr Stokes said.
 
The State Infrastructure Strategy sets out the government’s priorities for the next 20 years, and combined with Future Transport 2056, The Greater Cities Region Plan and the 20-Year Economic Vision for Regional NSW, brings together infrastructure investment and land-use planning for our cities and regions.
 
The Government’s response to the Strategy is available online here.

From the sandstone-studded streets of Balmain to the vibrant nightlife of Newtown, motorists can now pay and top up for parking at almost 1800 parking spots with just the tap of a button as the Inner West Council becomes the latest to integrate the Park’nPay app.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the innovative app has transformed the way motorists pay for parking and offers a simple solution for a better way to park.

“Park’nPay will take the hassle out of parking for visitors to the Inner West by eliminating the need to go to a parking meter and allowing motorists to pay and top up for a space with just the tap of their phone,” Mr Dominello said.

“The Inner West has an incredibly diverse range of shops, restaurants, and music venues and this technology will make it easier for people to get out and explore everything the area has to offer.”

Mr Dominello said the app has been downloaded more than 135,000 times since its launch in 2019 with more than 91 per cent giving the technology the thumbs up.

“Whether you’re catching up for coffee with friends in Rozelle or going out for dinner with family in Leichardt, the app will save motorists time and provide them with more convenience.”

“I would like to sincerely thank Inner West Council for getting on board and supporting this important technology.”

Park’nPay is available in a number of locations including The Rocks, Ryde, Cumberland, Liverpool, Mosman, Central Coast, Hunters Hill, Burwood, The Northern Beaches, Port Stephens, Willoughby, Armidale and NSW National Parks.

The app also provides information on real-time parking availability for 21 Transport for NSW Commuter Carparks, locations of electric vehicle charging stations and more than 18,000 private driveways to rent. 
For more information visit: https://parknpay.nsw.gov.au

Adopting emerging technologies could boost Gross State Product (GSP) by an additional 11.8 per cent to 2035, which is equivalent to $11,600 per person or $27,400 a household.

New technologies could lift the state’s productivity growth to two per cent a year, whilegovernment annual own-source revenues could also grow by as much as $4.5 billion by 2034-35.  

Treasurer Matt Kean said the new Adaptive NSW: How embracing tech could recharge our prosperity report outlines how harnessing technology can raise living standards for people across the state.

“NSW, like much of the world, faces a productivity challenge due to declining workforce participation caused by an ageing population and interrupted migration due to COVID-19. This is why we need to look at new ways to foster economic growth,” Mr Kean said.

“The world is on the threshold of enormous technology opportunity and a suite of emerging technologies could recharge NSW’s productivity growth for years to come.

“This improved productivity could deliver additional revenue for the state to invest in new schools, hospitals and other infrastructure.” 

Emerging tech could power over a decade of robust economic growth, lifting GSP growth to three per cent a year until 2034-35, according to the joint report released today by the NSW Productivity Commission and the NSW Innovation and Productivity Council.

Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology Alister Henskens said the report shows that as more organisations adopt automation, new jobs will be created across NSW in expanding and new industries, which will help grow the economy and secure a brighter future for NSW.

“Equipping a tech-focused workforce and encouraging the adoption of emerging technology sits alongside our government’s strong support for a world-class research and innovation ecosystem,” Mr Henskens said.

“There is a growing need to improve our digital readiness and through programs such as Driving Digital Skills and TAFE NSW’s Institute of Applied Technology, we are equipping the next generation with the skills they need to ensure NSW remains at the forefront of the booming tech industry.”

NSW Productivity Commissioner Peter Achterstraat AM said the report shows that a forward-looking approach is needed to encourage rather than stifle the uptake of emerging technologies. 

“This means embracing technology to improve public services and supporting private sector tech adoption with smart regulation,” Mr Achterstraat said.

For the full report, please visit: https://www.productivity.nsw.gov.au/adaptive-nsw-embracing-tech.