16 News

Budding Information and Technology (IT) professionals are honing the latest industry techniques as part of an innovative program that will equip them with the skills they need for the rapidly changing technology landscape.
 
Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology and Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said more than 50 young people are participating in the NSW Government’s IT traineeship program through TAFE NSW.
 
“This program will ensure we develop a strong and robust IT workforce, which will help grow the economy and secure a brighter future for NSW,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“The NSW Government is delivering more opportunities than ever before to help people get the skills they need for the jobs they want, and this program is another great example of that.”
 
The two-year IT traineeship has been designed for Year 12 school leavers seeking to commence a career in the high-growth and in-demand tech industry, which combines a formal qualification with employment and on-the-job training at a NSW Government agency.
 
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said IT skills can take you anywhere and this program is preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow.
 
“The pandemic has seen a rapid increase in the adoption of emerging technologies and there is a growing need to improve our digital readiness to ensure NSW remains at the forefront of a booming industry,” Mr Dominello said.
 
“By giving young people a foot-in-the-door, they are gaining real-world experience and building industry connections, which in turn will support their ongoing education and employment pathways.” 
 
More information about the program can be found online

The 400th new fire truck has rolled off the production line and been handed over to the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) as part of the NSW Government’s $830 million investment in response to the Bushfire Inquiry.
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said $105.6 million in this year’s Budget has been allocated to the Tanker Replacement Program, delivering on one of Inquiry’s key recommendations.
 
“The Black Summer bush fires had a devastating effect on communities across our State and pushed the RFS to the limit,” Ms Cooke said.
 
“Two years on from that horror fire season, we are committed to implementing the recommendations of the Bushfire Inquiry. Making sure our RFS volunteers are better equipped to handle bush fires will help keep communities across NSW safer into the future.
 
“With the next bush fire danger period fast approaching, I am pleased we have now 400 new tankers deployed to Brigades in every corner of the State so that they’re more prepared than ever to handle the oncoming threats.”
 
The new trucks have been assembled at four factories across NSW.
 
RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers said the increased funding has greatly benefited Brigades members along with the communities they protect.
 
“While the existing trucks have served our Brigades well, it’s important that the latest and safest equipment is provided to our members to keep themselves safe and best serve communities,” Commissioner Rogers said.
 
“The 400th fire truck has been handed over to the Yanco Rural Fire Brigade. The new vehicle is a Category 1 bush fire tanker which is worth $380,000 and will be greatly welcomed by the local Brigade and their community.”
 
Yanco Rural Fire Brigade is located in the Leeton Shire in south-western NSW.

The new seven-storey $723.3 million Tweed Valley Hospital development has reached a major milestone, hitting its highest point of construction.
 
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the new hospital campus is the state’s largest regional hospital project. 
 
“This is about delivering world-class health facilities and services closer to home to transform healthcare for communities in the Tweed Valley region,” Mr Toole said.
 
“Today’s ‘topping out’ ceremony is a significant milestone for this incredible new health facility which will double capacity of the existing hospital to better meet the current and future healthcare needs of this community which has grown by 6,000 people since this project was first announced.”
 
Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the hospital will feature two new major services, including an interventional cardiology service and an integrated cancer care service with radiotherapy and PET-CT.
 
“These services will be a game-changer for the local community, providing treatment locally to ensure up to 5,000 people no longer have to travel outside of the region to access life-saving treatments,” Mrs Taylor said.
 
“Once complete next year, the new hospital will boast almost 200 more beds and an extra 16 new Emergency Department treatment spaces.”
 
Member for Tweed Geoff Provest said in addition to the world-class health facility, construction for the hospital has provided a boost to the local economy, supporting hundreds of jobs since work began.
 
“As the project moves into the internal fit-out stage, work is ramping up with around 400 people on-site each day,” Mr Provest said.
 
“Importantly, many of the workers contributing to this project are from the local community.”
 
The hospital has been designed in close collaboration with staff and the community and will include:
 

• More than 400 overnight and day only beds to address future demand for health services
• Expanded emergency department with 42 treatment spaces
• Expanded outpatient services with more clinics
• 12 operating theatres, an increase of five from the existing Tweed Hospital
• New interventional cardiology service
• New radiotherapy service as part of integrated cancer care, including a PET-CT suite
• Outdoor green spaces
• Campus roads and car park.

 
With the hospital reaching its full structural height, construction teams will continue the internal fit-out of the building, services installation and the hospital’s facade.
 
Construction of the new hospital is on track for completion in 2023.
 
A new $50 million multi-storey car park will also be delivered as part of the project, providing staff, patients and visitors with access to over 1,200 car park spaces at the new hospital campus when complete. Construction is underway and on-track to open in 2023.
 
The Tweed Valley Hospital development is part of the NSW Government’s record $10.8 billion investment in health infrastructure over four years to 2024-25, with nearly a third of the spend in this financial year earmarked for regional and rural health facilities.
 
Since 2011, the government has delivered more than 170 hospitals and health facilities across NSW, with more than 110 currently underway – of those, more than 70 are in rural and regional areas.

The NSW Government has committed a one-off $2 million funding program to support maintenance and repair works to boating infrastructure as part of a $28 million Boating Now Program.

Minister for Transport and Veterans David Elliott said the NSW Government allocated the additional funds to help boating infrastructure owners across NSW undertake maintenance works to boat ramps, pontoons, wharves, jetties, boat ramps and car and trailer parks. 

“NSW boasts some of the best waterways in the world which are not only enjoyed by recreational water users but vital for local tourist operators and commercial vessels, therefore it is important to ensure boating communities have easy access to modern maritime facilities,” Mr Elliott said.

“We understand the challenges of maintaining boating facilities and recognise that repairs can be costly for asset owners and managers.

“We’ve listened to feedback from boating stakeholders and as a result we’ve made up to $2 million available as part of Round Four of the Boating Now Program to help owners return boating assets to their optimal operational condition,” Mr Elliott said.

Applications are now open for the Boating Asset maintenance sub-program, which will fund up to $30,000 per asset and up to a maximum of $60,000 per applicant for multiple assets.

To be eligible, the boating asset must be available for general boating public use and provide direct benefits to recreational boaters. The asset must also be included in an existing annual maintenance schedule or have its own asset maintenance plan in place at the time of application.  

Guidelines and the application form is available on the Boating Now website. Applications close at 5pm on 30 September 2022 and must be emailed to MIDO@transport.nsw.gov.au