16 News

Families in Mount Druitt, Wagga Wagga, Kempsey, Nambucca, Bourke, Cobar and Coonamble will be the first to benefit from the NSW Government’s landmark reform to introduce a universal pre-Kindergarten year of education for every child in NSW.

Early childhood services in these first seven locations will begin rolling out the first stage of the universal pre-Kindergarten policy in early 2023, with interested providers urged to register from today. 

More locations across NSW will be added ahead of the full state-wide implementation of a full new year of education for children by 2030. 

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the $5.8 billion 10-year investment in universal pre-Kindergarten is of a scale not seen before in Australia and will benefit our youngest learners’ physical, cognitive, social and emotional development. 

“This is a life changing investment that the NSW Government is delivering to ensure our children benefit from a full year of quality preschool education at no cost to parents,” Mr Perrottet said.  

“The Liberals and Nationals in government are building a brighter future for NSW, with international evidence demonstrating a quality, play-based preschool program underpins a child’s long-term success.” 

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said families and services in the first stage of the universal pre-K reforms will help shape the rollout of the initiative across the state.

“This first stage of universal pre-Kindergarten will allow us to gather crucial information ahead of implementation of the program across the NSW,” Ms Mitchell said. 

“We are continuing to work collaboratively with families, peak bodies, service providers and schools to develop the best model of universal pre-Kindergarten for NSW.”    

Eligible services are invited to have their say and ask questions at several workshops to be held in pilot regions during November 2022. 

The NSW Government’s $15.9 billion Early Years Commitment announced as part of the 2022-23 budget will deliver a brighter future for every child in NSW.  

Through the introduction of a universal pre-Kindergarten year, a suite of Brighter Beginnings initiatives to support the first 2,000 days of life, a workforce package for early childhood educators and Affordable Preschool subsidies available to all families, the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government is ensuring NSW is the best state to live, work and raise a family. 

Expressions of Interest are now open and close on 16 December 2022. For more details, visit:  https://education.nsw.gov.au/early-childhood-education/early-years-commitment/universal-pre-kindergarten/universal-pre-kindergarten-pilots

A Minns Labor Government will upgrade Fairfield Hospital with an initial $115 million over three years to expand the hospital’s bed capacity by almost 60 per cent as well as provide more services.

More capacity and more services

This commitment will deliver 130 more desperately needed medical, surgical and rehabilitation beds.

This will increase emergency department and intensive care unit capacity as well as elevate the hospital’s emergency service level from three to four – meaning more specialist staff, and greater care for emergency presentations.

This extra funding will expand dialysis spaces and enhance radiology services, including CT and MRI capabilities.

Rehabilitation beds will help expand aged care, orthopaedic, respiratory and interventional cardiology services.

And this commitment will expand mental health services as well as introduce a Psychiatric Emergency Care Centre.

Urgent upgrades to the hospital were recommended by the parliamentary inquiry into South West Sydney health services, which heard of some services being rationed, and other services simply non-existent.

The Fairfield Hospital redevelopment will include upgrading existing facilities as well as expanding the site to accommodate further services.

The final cost of the redevelopment will be established after further planning and detailed design, but is anticipated to be around $550 million, and take up to six years from when work commences.

Hospital overwhelmed

Fairfield Hospital opened in 1988 – and has not yet received an upgrade.

Since then, the local population has outgrown the hospital.

The number of presentations at the hospital’s emergency department have increased by almost 30 per cent since 2011 – from around 7,700 a quarter to 10,000 a quarter.

Over 15 per cent of patients came to Fairfield emergency – and then turned around and left without receiving or completing their treatment – one of the highest rates in the state. That was over 1,500 patients in the last quarter alone.

The percentage of critical emergency presentations to start on time has tanked from a peak of 73 per cent in 2013, to 37 per cent today.

Patients on the elective surgery wait list have increased by over 50 per cent, from less than 1,400 to over 2,000.

The median wait times for elective surgery have increased by 200 per cent for urgent surgeries, 82 per cent for semi urgent surgeries; and 36 per cent for non-urgent surgeries.

And the Fairfield LGA is set to increase in population by 36,662 people in the next 20 years.

Labor’s initial commitment of $115 million will come from the unallocated $3 billion WestInvest Government agencies fund – not the $2 billion allocated to Local Governments and community groups – which under Labor will also have its remit expanded to include urgently needed healthcare projects.

Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader, said:

Today’s announcement forms part of Labor’s broader health response to begin to turn around 12 years of Liberal neglect of our state’s health and hospital system.

“Boosting our health staff and expanding our hospital capacity to reduce the wait and treatment times and improving patient outcomes.

“I want to thank the hardworking hospital staff, nurses, paramedics, doctors who do an incredible job around the clock in really difficult conditions.

“We want to ensure no matter where you live, you have access to world class health facilities.”

Ryan Park, NSW Shadow Minister for Health, said:

“This is what happens after 12 years of neglect of our hospitals from the NSW Liberals.

“Local residents are left with absurd hospital wait times and patients are leaving without being treated in droves.”

Hugh McDermott, NSW Member for Prospect, said:

“I’m so proud to stand with a NSW Labor Government that will deliver this much needed boost to our local hospital.”

A new jet ski and support vehicle is being delivered to every Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) Branch, boosting the capability of volunteer lifesavers in time for what is expected to be a bumper summer season across the State’s waterways.
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the 11 jet skis and 4WD vehicles, representing a $1 million NSW Government investment, will enhance the ability of lifesavers to respond to emergencies.
 
“These jet skis will give our lifesavers the ability to get to people in trouble in the water quickly, and also allow them to reach those in treacherous locations like off rock platforms,” Ms Cooke said.
 
“Because of its speed and manoeuvrability, the jet ski is one of the most important tools used by Surf Life Saving NSW.
 
“Our 20,000 lifesavers are better prepared than ever before and are ready for a big summer, but safety is a shared responsibility so I’m respectfully asking beachgoers to follow advice, avoid  unnecessary risks and swim between the flags.”
 
Over the past two years, jet skis have been used in 704 rescues, 271 emergency call outs and have spent nearly 23,000 hours on the water helping lifesavers keep swimmers, surfers and boaters safe.
 
SLSNSW President George Shales said the speed of response, agility and ability to get close to rock platforms make the jet skis a life-saving asset.
 
“Overall, Surf Life Saving NSW’s core mission is to save lives, create great Australians and build better communities. The delivery of a fleet of new Rescue Water Craft to our Branches helps us deliver on our mission,” Mr Shales said.
 
“In providing state-of-the-art support operations equipment and vessels to our Branches, we increase our capacity to save lives and, indeed, build better communities.”
 
Patrolled beach locations, patrol times and live weather updates are available on the BeachSafe app or website.

The NSW Government and NRMA charging network has enabled more than 13 million zero emission kilometres – or the distance to the moon and back more than 30 times – of electric vehicle (EV) travel across the state.

The impressive milestone was reached as the network continues to expand, with new chargers along the Mitchell Highway at Nyngan and Bourke and out to Brewarrina along the Kamilaroi Highway. The new site at Casino supports travel along the Bruxner Highway and the new Temora site provides another NRMA fast charging location in the Riverina. 

Treasurer Matt Kean said the chargers are part of a partnership between the NSW Government and the NRMA to deliver 20 fast chargers to extend the regional EV travel network and support regional tourism.

“The fast charging network has enabled NSW drivers to travel more than 13 million kilometres, powered by green energy. That represents thousands of trips to our regions that are boosting tourism and supporting jobs and businesses across the state,” Mr Kean said.

Mr Kean said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is making NSW the easiest and most affordable place to buy and drive an EV in Australia.

“On top of our $3 million program with the NRMA, we’re investing more than half a billion dollars in tax cuts and incentives to drive uptake and reduce barriers for EV purchases over the next four years.

“This is Australia’s most ambitious EV package and will support NSW drivers to make the move to the vehicles of the future, now.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said fast chargers mean cars can gain 120-150km of range in 30 minutes, allowing people to take a break from driving and pop into a local café or restaurant for lunch.

“Sixteen towns in regional NSW are benefiting from the fast chargers already delivered as part of this program with the NRMA and it is exciting to be able to officially open chargers at five additional locations in Casino, Temora, Bourke, Brewarrina and Nyngan,” Mr Farraway said.

“These fast chargers encourage additional travel, are located at the heart of each town where people can get out and enjoy a coffee, meal or look in a local shop while their vehicle charges.

“Speaking to local café owners in Cobar they have noticed an uptick in the number of visitors taking the time to come in, have a coffee and a toasted sandwich and explore the town a bit more while their cars charge.

“They’re also encouraging drivers to take those much needed breaks when driving long distances, making the journey safer.”

NRMA Head of Electric Vehicle Charging & Partnerships Suzana Barbir said the continued expansion of NSW’s EV network future-proofed the state as more drivers adopted the technology.

“Electric vehicles are the future of motoring in Australia and the NRMA is committed to making the transition to electric vehicles smooth and beneficial for our members and all Australian motorists,” Ms Barbir said.

“Range anxiety is one of the biggest considerations for people when it comes to purchasing an EV. With new charging locations across NSW, drivers can confidently explore all the wonderful destinations throughout regional NSW.”

Transport for NSW and the NRMA have already installed chargers at Armidale, Broken Hill, Cobar, Coonamble, Jerilderie, Scone, Tenterfield, Wagga Wagga, Walgett, Wilcannia and Yass.

The NSW Government has also recently approved $5.4 million in grant funding to the NRMA to construct 11 new fast charging stations across NSW under its Fast Charging Grants, where chargers will be able to fully recharge a modern EV in 15 minutes.

The stations will be located at Bathurst, Bogangar, Caringbah, Cooma, Euston, Jamisontown, Molong, Port Macquarie, Prestons, Queanbeyan and Rouse Hill.

This grant is part of the first funding round which allocated $39.4 million in funding from a total program budget of $149 million. The grants program is expected to leverage more than $160 million in private investment.
To find out more about EVs, including charging locations, visit: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/electric-vehicles

Jointly funded disaster assistance is now available to an additional four local government areas (LGAs) as the severe flooding that has affected large parts of New South Wales since mid-September continues.
 
The LGAs of Bathurst, Oberon, Shellharbour and Uralla are now subject to a natural disaster declaration (NDD).
 
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, said damages to areas within the additionally declared LGAs had been significant.
 
“The intense and ongoing floods have left councils across the State with major repair works,” Minister Watt said.
 
“With such a massive task ahead of them, these councils need the Australian and New South Wales Governments to work collaboratively and quickly so they know they’ve got the financial backing to get on with the job.”
 
New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said 70 LGAs are now been subject to a NDD.
 
“The widespread and ongoing nature of this flood event has meant it has taken more time to assess the damage across New South Wales, with eight river systems across our State still experiencing major flooding,” Ms Cooke said.
 
Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) for the flood event that started on 14 September 2022.
 
Assistance available under the DRFA may include:

• Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged (eligibility criteria apply);
• Support for local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets;
• Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations; and
• Freight subsidies for primary producers.

 
For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact Service NSW on 13 77 88.
 
To apply for a concessional loan, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au.
 
Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au.