16 News

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $50 million to help regional and rural councils fix the increasing number of potholes brought on by this year’s extreme wet weather.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said under the new Fixing Local Roads Pothole Repair Round, councils can apply for funding to help them address their highest priority pothole repairs.

“NSW has had more than its fair share of natural disasters and extreme weather and it’s promising to see that more than 135,000 potholes have been repaired on State roads in regional NSW since February,” Mr Farraway said.

“However, plenty more potholes still require attention, particularly on council-managed roads, which is why our Government is putting more money on the table for councils to repair potholes on the roads regional communities use every day.

“This funding is available to help every regional council across the state to carry out emergency repairs and would fix roughly more than 420,000 potholes on their roads.

“This additional support will help ease the pressure local councils are facing and boost the resources they can draw upon to repair their most damaged roads to improve safety and reduce wear and tear on vehicles.”

The new funding builds on the $500 million invested by the NSW Government through the Fixing Local Roads program to help regional councils repair, maintain and seal local roads across the state.

Funding under the Fixing Local Roads Pothole Repair Round is available to 95 regional councils and authorities to help repair potholes on regional and local roads. Work must be completed by 1 January 2024.

Applications for funding are open for two weeks from today with funding announced in November so councils can begin work as soon as possible.

NSW landowners who host electricity transmission lines are set to benefit from a new Strategic Benefit Payments Scheme designed by the NSW Government to support the rollout of a modern electricity grid.
 
Under the scheme, private landowners in NSW will receive $200,000 per kilometre of new transmission infrastructure hosted on their land, paid out in annual instalments over 20 years, indexed to CPI.
 
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the scheme will be the first of its kind in Australia and recognises the NSW Government’s commitment to building a modern electricity grid that maximises benefits for communities and households.
 
“Building new transmission infrastructure is critical to connecting renewable energy sources to the grid and most of this new infrastructure will be built in regional NSW,” Mr Toole said.
 
“Supporting landowners and regional communities who host this infrastructure will help us build the network we need in time to ensure energy security, supply and affordability for families across NSW.”
 
Minister for Energy Matt Kean said maximising the economic benefits of this new infrastructure and supporting regional communities is central to the NSW Government’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap and the successful delivery of the Renewable Energy Zones.
 
“NSW has the most ambitious renewable energy policy in the nation, which is needed to replace the State’s ageing coal fired power stations and build a clean energy future for NSW,” Mr Toole said.
 
“The scheme is part of our commitment to share the benefits of a reliable, clean and affordable energy grid with the landowners who will have a vital role in supporting the delivery of critical transmission infrastructure that will make this possible,” Mr Kean said.
 
“This is a huge win for landowners across NSW that will almost double the average payment they currently receive – and importantly – the rate of the payments will be calculated in the same way regardless of where you live to ensure all landowners are treated equitably under the scheme.”
 
The scheme will apply for new major transmission projects critical to the energy transformation and future security of the energy grid, including the Central-West Orana Transmission Project, Project EnergyConnect, HumeLink, the New England Transmission Project and the Hunter Transmission Project.
                             
Payments under the scheme are separate, and in addition to, the one-off upfront compensation paid to landowners for the acquisition of transmission easements in accordance with the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991.
 
Further information on the Strategic Benefit Payments Scheme is available at  https://www.energyco.nsw.gov.au/community/strategic-benefit-payments-scheme.

NSW is the first jurisdiction in Australia to introduce a new insurance product that offers 10 years’ protection for buyers of residential apartments.

Minister for Fair Trading Victor Dominello said the NSW Department of Customer Service has accepted the application of Resilience Insurance to offer decennial liability insurance as a form of security under the Strata Building Bond and Inspections Scheme.

“This is a big win for apartment owners and body corporates,” Mr Dominello said.

“Decennial liability insurance provides those living in residential apartment buildings with comprehensive consumer protection for building defects caused by substandard design and building work.

“It also provides an insurance safety net for consumers that is currently lacking in residential apartment buildings.
“Decennial liability gives power to the purchasers and body corporates, who will no longer need to prove liability and will only have to demonstrate the damage for assessment.

“For the first time in Australia, this will ensure building owners have access to a timely and straightforward remedy to remediate those defects.”

Under a decennial liability insurance scheme, developers or builders would take out a policy to cover any potential costs by an owner to fix serious defects of critical building elements for up to 10 years.

A decennial liability insurance policy would cover critical parts of a building’s common property, including the building’s structure, fire safety systems and waterproofing.

This insurance is intended to provide an insurance of first resort – allowing building owners to make a claim as soon as a defect is identified.

While this form of insurance is available in many markets around the world, it has not been offered in Australia.
NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler OAM said, “the introduction of decennial liability insurance is the latest reform to the building and construction industry which will improve the design and construction of apartment buildings in NSW.

“These reforms have come about due to the united commitment of government and industry to transform the NSW construction sector.

“NSW is now in the position of being a national leader in offering an insurance product of this type for Class 2 buildings because of the three years of conscious effort and commitment by Government and industry to the journey we have been on under Construct NSW.

“We’re looking to clean up the market and bring an end to expensive litigations against developers who have deep pockets or subsequently vanish into thin air.”

To support the broader rollout of this critical consumer protection for NSW apartment building owners, a regulatory impact statement is being prepared for consultation on the proposal to mandate decennial liability insurance for residential apartment building developments, following a transitional period that will support NSW’s creation of a mature and affordable decennial liability insurance market.

Other reforms have included the introduction of the Design and Building Practitioners Act to ensure competent designs and builders are undertaking compliant work and the Residential Apartment Building (Compliance and Enforcement Powers) Act to give the building regulator comprehensive powers to respond to defective building work.

Consumers in NSW also have the benefit of the industry-led Independent Construction Industry Rating Tool (iCIRT), a five-star system to rate the trustworthiness of builders, certifiers and developers.

The NSW Government has announced the $360 million Net Zero Industry and Innovation Investment Plan to support and partner with manufacturing and mining sectors to reduce emissions and boost resilience.
 
Minister for Energy Matt Kean said the investment will help the highest emitting industries accelerate their shift to net zero, while continuing to grow jobs and the economy.  It will also play a critical role supporting the establishment of new low carbon industries.
 
“Almost 30 per cent of carbon emissions in NSW are created by the top 55 industrial facilities, so partnering with them is critical to achieving our emissions reduction targets,” Mr Kean said.
 
“This funding will support NSW’s highest emitting and hardest to abate manufacturing and mining facilities to significantly decarbonise and make the industries more resilient as the world shifts to net zero.
 
“The Net Zero Industry and Innovation Investment Plan aims for a significant reduction of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2030 – equal to taking 10 million cars off the road for a year.
 
“By accelerating decarbonisation and the development of clean technology, we will expand the economy, support jobs, and significantly reduce emissions, helping NSW businesses prosper in a low carbon world.”
 
This funding is a cornerstone of the NSW Net Zero Plan to reduce emissions by 50 per cent by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050.
 
The investment plan outlines the funding priorities for the next two years under two focus areas – high emitting industries and new low carbon industry foundations.
 
Read the investment plan here: https://www.energy.nsw.gov.au/Net-Zero-Industry-and-Innovation-Investment-Plan

Preschools across the state are preparing to be part of the NSW Government’s landmark $1.3 billion Affordable Preschool Program providing cost of living relief from the beginning of 2023.  
 
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell today confirmed new Start Strong funding guidelines, which outline how early childhood services across the state will support families in giving their children the best start to life through affordable preschool.
 
“With cost-of-living pressures being felt across Australia, the Liberals and Nationals in Government are reducing stress for families across NSW by providing immediate fee relief,” Ms Mitchell said.
 
“Through the NSW Government’s Start Strong program we will improve the affordability of early childhood education, improve quality, boost outcomes for children, and see enrolments and attendance increase in the years before school.”
 
From January 2023, all NSW families will be eligible for:
 

• up to $4,220 per year in fee relief for 3, 4 and 5-year-olds attending a community or mobile preschool,
• up to $2,110 per year in fee relief for 4 and 5-year-olds attending preschool in a long day care setting on top of their Child Care Subsidy payment, and
• the equivalent of 5 days a fortnight of affordable preschool fee relief for all children in Department of Education preschools. 

“For the first time, the NSW Government is extending fee-relief to NSW families whose children attend preschool in a long day care setting, because at the end of the day what’s important is our littlest learners having access to great quality preschool programs,” Ms Mitchell said.

“Research shows that children who participate in quality play-based education programs before they start school have improved lifelong educational, social and economic outcomes.

“This is why we are extending fee relief to support more families and enable more children to participate in a quality early childhood education.” 

The NSW Government is investing more than $15.9 billion in early childhood commitments announced as part of the 2022-23 budget to deliver a brighter future for every child in NSW. Through the introduction of a universal pre-Kindergarten year, the Brighter Beginnings initiatives, a workforce package for early childhood educators and the Affordable Preschools subsidies, the NSW Liberal & National Government is ensuring NSW is the best state to live, work and raise a family.
 
You can find out more about the Early Years Commitment at education.nsw.gov.au/early-years-commitment. 

Construction has kicked off at Cowper Street, Glebe with a new social housing development that is transforming 19 aged dwellings into a modern complex of 75 new inner-city apartments and terrace houses.
 
Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said demolition of the former site was completed earlier this year, with the NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) partnering with Kane Constructions to complete the work.
 
“This eight-storey renewal project will deliver three studios, 40 one-bedroom and 27 two-bedroom apartments, along with five three-bedroom terrace homes for larger families,” Mr Roberts said.
 
“LAHC is working to boost social housing across the City of Sydney LGA, and Cowper Street is just one of three development sites in Glebe that will see social housing increased from 144 dwellings to around 250 in coming years.”
 
Minister for Minister for Families and Communities, and Minister for Disability Services Natasha Maclaren-Jones said Cowper Street is due for completion in mid-2024.
 
“This project will be home to around 130 new social housing residents, while creating 170 jobs during the life of the project,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
 
“The NSW Government is committed to delivering social and affordable housing to those in our community who need it most. We know that safe and stable accommodation is vital for people to get back on their feet and access services and support to strive for a brighter future.”
 
Inspired by historic woolstore buildings and Glebe’s iconic Victorian terraces, the development was designed by award-winning Sydney architectural firm Johnson Pilton Walker with the Prince’s Trust Australia supporting the development’s sustainability and traditional design outcomes.
 
Prince’s Trust Australia Chair, the Hon Julie Bishop said Prince’s Trust Australia is proud to support young people and provide opportunities for apprentices to build their skills on this project.
 
“This development will use many sustainable building practices such as recycled bricks, solar panels to power the homes and structural timber framing,” Ms Bishop said. 
 
“We commend Land and Housing Corporation on its work to boost social housing across Sydney.
 
“Prince’s Trust Australia is committed to environmental sustainability and building communities  – we are also working to help locals rebuild a community hall on Stokes Bay, Kangaroo Island, after the devastating Black Summer bushfires.”
 
The development will be called The Prince’s Quarter, to reflect the partnership with Prince’s Trust Australia. The building names will be announced at a later date.
 
For more information please visit https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/land-and-housing-corporation/greater-sydney/glebe

With just over a week until NSW bans more single-use plastics, Minister for Environment James Griffin has joined dozens of citizen science scuba divers and snorkelers in a community effort to clean up Sydney Harbour and highlight exactly why the bans are needed.
 
After donning a wetsuit and snorkeling gear to collect plastic litter from Sydney Harbour, Minister for Environment James Griffin said the ban on single-use plastics is just the beginning of a massive shift away from single-use plastics in NSW.
 
“In June, we banned lightweight single-use plastic bags and from 1 November, we’re banning some of the most commonly littered single-use plastic items, including cutlery, plates, bowls, straws, and polystyrene food ware,” Mr Griffin said.
 
“About 95 per cent of the litter on beaches and waterways comes from suburban streets, and single-use plastic items and packaging make up two thirds of all litter in NSW.
 
“We know from Australian Microplastic Assessment Project (AUSMAP) data that Manly Cove is among the worst beaches in the country for microplastic pollution, with research finding more than 850 pieces of microplastic per square metre.
 
“This is exactly why we must end our reliance on single-use plastic, and why the NSW bans are critical for changing behavior and improving the state of our environment for the benefit of biodiversity and future generations.”
 
The Dive Against Debris event at Manly Cove saw dozens of concerned citizens don scuba gear and snorkels before heading below the surface to collect plastic waste and debris from Sydney Harbour.
 
Dive Against Debris was founded in 1995 by Dive Centre Manly’s Richard Nicholls and has grown into the world’s largest Citizen Science marine project.
 
Now thousands of PADI dive centres regularly conduct underwater plastic clean-ups across the globe, with an estimated 250,000 divers worldwide gathering important data about the scope of the plastic pollution problem.
 
“Sydney Harbour is choking on plastic so it’s absolutely fantastic that the NSW Government is banning many single-use plastics,” Mr Nicholls said.
 
“Marine mammals and fish are dying through plastic ingestion and entanglement, and items are breaking down into microplastics that end up in the human food chain. It’s shocking and we have to stop it.”
 
From 1 November, the NSW Government is banning single-use items including:

• plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, chopsticks, plates, bowls and cotton buds
• food ware and cups made from expanded polystyrene
• rinse-off personal care products containing plastic microbeads.

 
This comes after lightweight single-use plastic bags were banned from 1 June.
 
The NSW Government bans will prevent almost 2.7 billion items of plastic litter from entering the environment in the State over the next 20 years.
 
Since February, the National Retail Association (NRA) has, on behalf of the NSW Government, been providing education and support to more than 40,000 businesses and community organisations around the State to implement the changes.
 
Educational material and in-person advice has also been provided in more than 15 different languages to support business owners and communities with diverse backgrounds.
 
The NSW Government has partnered with Great Plastic Rescue to collect excess stock from wholesalers, distributors, retailers, businesses and not-for-profits for recycling and remanufacturing into new items.
 
In September, the NSW Government launched the Stop it and Swap it advertising campaign, featuring shocking images of plastic pollution in the ocean and a turtle choking on a plastic bag, as an important reminder about why the state is banning certain single-use plastics.
 
For more information about the NSW Government’s single use plastic bans, visit http://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/plastics-ban
 
The single-use plastic ban media kit is available here.