16 News

More than 500 new fast and ultra-fast charging bays are set to be built across NSW to recharge electric vehicles (EVs) in just 15 minutes.
 
Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean announced the NSW Government is investing $39.4 million in the first round of Fast Charging Grants to co-fund 86 new fast and ultra-fast EV charging stations, each with four to 15 bays.
 
“This investment will see the largest, fastest and most comprehensive public EV charging network in Australia,” Mr Kean said.
 
“Each of these stations will contain a minimum of two ultra-fast EV charging bays of 350kW capacity, and two fast charging bays of 175kW, with some stations containing up to 15 bays.
 
“The ultra-fast chargers will be able to charge modern EVs from 20 per cent to 80 per cent in around 15 minutes and all stations will be fully powered with renewable energy.
 
“This is the first of an expected three funding rounds, with hundreds more stations set to be built over the coming years.”
 
The successful applicants from this round are Ampol, BP, Evie Networks, Tesla, the NRMA and Zeus Renewables.
 
All stations will be built over the next 24 months with a mix of highway and inner-city sites.
 
The NSW Government has a target to add approximately 250 fast and ultra-fast charging stations in total across NSW, ensuring chargers are no more than 5km apart in metropolitan areas and no more than 100km apart on major roads and highways across NSW.
 
The second round of co-funding is expected to open towards the end of this year.
 
Maps of the charging stations are available by visiting: https://bit.ly/3SlrazH

Creating the next generation of leaders in STEM is the focus of the proposed new Science and Technology syllabuses unveiled today for consultation. 
 
It comes as part of the NSW Government’s ongoing delivery of the most comprehensive Curriculum Reform in a generation.      
 
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the new syllabuses have been reshaped to align with current in-field evidence that will best equip students for success in a modern, digital and connected world.         
“We know that it is vital that students can apply their knowledge in the day-to-day. Through these syllabuses, students will benefit from more tangible learning experiences that give them the chance to study real-world challenges, setting them up as the next generation of world leaders in STEM,” Ms Mitchell said.
 
“Ultimately, the new syllabuses have been designed to better prepare young people for further study and career pathways in STEM.”         
The draft Science syllabus for Years 7 to 10 includes new contemporary topics on data science and investigating scientific evidence, as well as a greater focus on environmental sustainability and energy based on the latest evidence.          
Key changes include:        

• More explicit focus on applying knowledge and skills, with students applying classroom learning to real-world challenges and opportunities.
• A greater focus on essential knowledge and skills removing ambiguity and better supporting teacher planning.
• Increased connections between science and mathematics to support learning across the curriculum.
• Greater links to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander historical and contemporary uses of science and technologies.
• Greater focus on developing students’ writing skills for scientific purposes.
• Life Skills components of the syllabus provide greater opportunities for students with intellectual disability to extend their literacy, numeracy and communication skills in authentic learning contexts.

 
Additionally, a new draft Technology syllabus for Years 7 to 8 builds on an already strong syllabus with a greater focus on digital literacy, cyber security and online safety.

The public can have their say on the draft Technology 7-8 syllabus until 21 November 2022 and on the Science and Drama 7–10 syllabuses until 5 December 2022:           www.educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/about/news/consultations 

The Hornsby community is set to benefit from a super-sized emergency department, roof-top helipad and Australia’s first public hospital robotic pharmacy among the first-class services at the newly redeveloped $265 million Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government is delivering a first-class health facility to cater for the needs of local residents now and into the future as the community continues to grow.
 
“We are making the right investments in communities across the State to strengthen our frontline services so we can deliver what people need sooner and closer to home,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“This $265 million hospital redevelopment will ensure our frontline health workers have the best facilities and equipment in the country and help secure a brighter future for NSW families.”
 
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the expanded emergency department had already been put to the test during the Omicron outbreak, providing safe, high-quality care to local residents.
 
“The new emergency department is three times the size of the previous ED and has purpose-built isolation rooms for patients who may be infectious, as well as a separate emergency unit for children,” Mr Hazzard said.
 
“The entire facility is world-class – from the entrance to the new outpatients department, intensive care unit and the first public hospital robotic pharmacy in Australia.”
 
Treasurer and Member for Hornsby Matt Kean said following feedback from clinicians and residents, Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital now boasts a roof-top helipad to enable faster and safer medical transfers of critically ill patients.
 
“From the upsized emergency department to the world-class medical facilities for children, our hospital upgrade is what the people of Hornsby need and deserve,” Mr Kean said.
 
“A facility like this will deliver amazing care and treatment for the community and serve them for generations to come.”
 
The new Clinical Services Building includes:

• A combined Intensive Care and High Dependency Unit;
• Combined Respiratory/Cardiac and Coronary Care beds co-located with a Cardiac Investigations Unit;
• Ambulatory Care Centre (Outpatients Department);
• Medical Imaging;
• Paediatrics;
• Medical Assessment Unit;
• Inpatients Units (including general medicine, rehabilitation, stroke and dementia/delirium beds);
• Helipad; and
• Co-located education space with The University of Sydney.

 
Member for Ku-ring-gai Alister Henskens said the upgrades will continue to strengthen local health services, attract more clinical staff and ensure the community has access to high quality healthcare closer to home.
 
“These new health facilities have been designed in consultation with health and support staff as well as community representatives, ensuring they meet the health needs of our whole community, including seniors and those raising a family,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“Even more improvements are on the way, with Stage 2A of the project expected to be complete by the end of the year. The new building will include oral health and community health services, such as chemotherapy and renal dialysis.”
 
Since 2011, the NSW Government has invested over $440 million in Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital.
 
Since 2011, the NSW Government has delivered more than 180 hospitals and health facilities across NSW, with more than 130 currently underway – of those almost 70 per cent are in rural and regional areas. The NSW Government has committed $11.9 billion to future health infrastructure projects over the four years to 2025-26.
 
To view the new hospital and hear about its innovation, view the video here.

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government wants to hear from the community to fine tune the design for the East and West sections of the Great Western Highway Upgrade.
 
Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the final design for the game-changing upgrade was edging closer, with major construction on track to start on the West section early next year.
 
“The Great Western Highway upgrade is fast becoming a reality. This is another chance for the community to shape this legacy project by providing their feedback on the updated designs for both sections,” Mr Toole said. 
 
“Changes between Little Hartley and the Lithgow section will provide better connections that will make travelling between the east and the west easier and safer, and will include improvements to service roads and a second over-bridge.
 
“Locals wanting to travel between Little Hartley and Victoria Pass will be able to cross over the upgraded highway without having to contend with the highway traffic.
 
“Pedestrians and cyclists will also benefit, with the shared path to now start at an upgraded Berghofer’s Pass carpark and extend to Hartley historic village.”
 
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the latest designs incorporated community feedback and will be on display for further feedback until 20 November.
 
“For the Katoomba to Blackheath ‘East’ section, one of the key design changes includes extending the carriageway towards Blackheath to improve connectivity and provide safer access between the upgraded highway and the existing Great Western Highway,” Mr Farraway said.
 
“An extension to the shared path access track has also been brought forward into the East section, connecting through to Valley View Road at Blackheath.
 
“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government are building the infrastructure that matters to make daily life easier for the thousands of motorists who use the Great Western Highway each day.”
 
>ou can view the updated designs at nswroads.work/gwh.
 
The West section design will be available at Lithgow City Council Administration Centre, Lithgow Library Learning Centre and Hartley Fresh & Café. The East section design will be available at Blue Mountains City Council Administration Centre and Blackheath Community Centre.
 
Information sessions will be held so the community can talk to the design team:

• Katoomba to Blackheath design changes and Medlow Bath REF determination presentation and Q&A
  • Tuesday 1 November, 6:00-7:30pm, online
  • Tuesday 8 November, 5:00-7:00pm, Hydro Majestic Hotel, Medlow Bath
• Little Hartley to Lithgow design changes
  • Thursday 3 November, 6:00-7:30pm, online
  • Wednesday 9 November, 6:00-7:30pm, Hartley Community Hall

Registrations for all sessions or a request for a phone consultation should be made online at nswroads.work/gwh or by phone to 1800 953 777.

Community members can provide feedback on the updated designs:

• online at nswroads.work/gwhwestconsult
• by email to gwhd@transport.nsw.gov.au
• by mail to Great Western Highway Upgrade Program, PO Box 334, Parkes NSW 2870

 
The updated designs are now on display for community feedback until 20 November.
 
The REF Submissions Reports for the Katoomba to Blackheath, Medlow Bath and Little Hartley to Lithgow REF submissions reports are available for viewing on nswroads.work/gwh.
 
For more information on the project, visit nswroads.work/gwh

City of Newcastle (CN) has kicked off significant environmental works at a former landfill site that took waste from across the Hunter for more than 20 years.

The remediation of the Astra Street site at Shortland, which operated from 1974 to 1995, is one of four city-shaping projects included in this year’s record $132 million capital works program.

City of Newcastle’s 2022/23 Budget included $18.6 million to protect the Ramsar-listed Hunter Wetlands by remediating and improving environmental management of the former Astra Street landfill.

The project will include capping and reprofiling, drainage improvements to manage surface water and sediment runoff and revegetation and landscaping, with the works expected to be completed by mid-2024.

Newcastle councillors recently visited the 37-hectare site to inspect the early works and discuss the project’s long-term benefits, including the protection and maintenance of the local environment, safeguarding the water quality of surrounding wetlands and aquatic ecosystems, and increasing biodiversity values to promote long-term native vegetation growth.

City of Newcastle Executive Director City Infrastructure Joanne Rigby said CN is committed to ensuring sites like Astra Street, are managed with the environment front-of-mind.

“We’ve been working alongside the Environment Protection Authority on a landfill closure plan for the Astra Street site to ensure it adheres to environmental standards,” Ms Rigby said.

“This project is an important priority for protecting the long-term health of the nearby Ramsar-listed Hunter Wetlands and surrounding waterways and shows our commitment to ensuring the long-term sustainability of our current and former waste management operations.”

The existing 20-year-old capping and drainage will be improved through the delivery of new clay capping in accordance with environmental requirements.

The NSW Government has armed law enforcement with new powers to confiscate unexplained wealth and the proceeds of crime with tough new laws targeting organised crime passing NSW Parliament.

The laws are part of a suite of game changing reforms introduced by the NSW Government that target organised crime, including tougher penalties for money laundering and new offences to target the use of dedicated encrypted criminal communication devices.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Paul Toole said the NSW Government has acted swiftly to provide law enforcement with exactly what it needs to tackle the changing face of organised crime. 

“These are the State’s toughest ever organised crime laws and will cut organised criminals off at the source, incapacitating them financially so they can no longer reap the benefits of their insidious crimes,” Mr Toole said.

“In the last six months alone we have introduced world-leading legislation, tougher penalties and new powers to put our police and law enforcement agencies in the strongest position yet to fight organised crime.

“Gone are the days when criminal gangs can slip under the radar and hide their ill-gotten gains. If you are living the high life off the proceeds of crime, expect a knock at the door from police with a warrant to seize your most prized possessions.

“The NSW Government is backing our police every step of the way and these reforms are exactly what police they tell us they need to attack the very core of these criminal networks and keep our communities safe.”

The organised crime reforms the NSW Government has introduced in the last six months include:

• New powers for law enforcement to confiscate unlawfully acquired assets of major convicted drug traffickers
• Enhanced powers for law enforcement to target and confiscate unexplained wealth
• Expanded powers for law enforcement to stop and search for unexplained wealth and more effectively investigate organised crime
• New money laundering offences for those dealing with and caught trying to disguise the proceeds of general crime.
• A new offence that prohibits the possession of a dedicated encrypted criminal communication device (DECCD) – and orders to target high risk individuals likely to use them
• New powers to enable police to direct a person to provide access to a digital device, which is akin to gaining the keys to a safe
• New laws for the security industry to target industry integrity and safeguard against misconduct and organised crime
• New laws for the scrap metal industry to strengthen registration requirements and make it harder for illegitimate dealers who pay criminals cash in exchange for stolen parts and property to operate
• New laws making it illegal for members of a criminal organisation to hold a tattoo licence.

New South Wales Acting Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the reforms will target organised criminals from every angle and are a huge asset in the fight against organised crime.

“We will seize their illegally acquired assets, take away their loopholes, and ban their methods of communication,” Acting Commissioner Lanyon said.

“We are committed to using every power available to us in the dismantling of criminal networks across this State.”

The NSW Government welcomes a NSW Parliamentary inquiry regarding the development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) across the State.
 
The inquiry will be conducted by the Committee of Law and Safety in 2023 when it is reappointed following the commencement of the 58^th Parliament.
 
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the inquiry will explore ways in which AI can be used more broadly throughout NSW.
 
“AI has the potential to significantly improve service delivery and quality of life in a host of areas, including transport, health and cyber security. It is imperative that we remain at the forefront of this ever emerging space,” Mr Dominello said.
 
“Whether it’s facial recognition, use of biometrics to enable digital identity, or use of AI and algorithms for data analysis, we must strike the right balance between advancing technology and safeguarding privacy and security.
 
“The Committee will examine these issues in depth to help ensure our policies and legislative framework is fit-for-purpose.
 
“The Government has already taken a number of steps to ensure we play a leading role in AI, including releasing an AI Strategy and Ethics Policy in 2020, developing and mandating an AI Assurance Framework in 2021, and establishing an AI Review Committee in 2022. This inquiry will build on these foundations.
 
“I would like to sincerely thank the Committee, particularly its Chair Ray Williams, for their support and commitment on this important issue.”
 
Further information on the NSW Government’s engagement with AI is available at Artificial Intelligence (AI) | Digital.NSW

Westmead will be transformed into a world-class health and innovation district over the next two decades, under an integrated planning and transport vision unveiled by the NSW Government in Western Sydney today.
 
Minister for Planning and Homes Anthony Roberts said the finalised Westmead Place Strategy would guide future planning and development decisions to create Australia’s premier health and innovation district.
 
“The plan includes 12 directions, supported by planning priorities, to transform Westmead and Parramatta North into a world-leading economic powerhouse,” Mr Roberts said.
                                                                                
“Prioritising new jobs, encouraging greater housing diversity, boosting open space and protecting some of our nation’s oldest heritage sites, are just some of the priorities underpinning our vision.”
 
Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott today announced the Westmead Place-based Transport Strategy in Western Sydney, which will integrate with the wider Place Strategy to support jobs, public transport accessibility and high-quality open space.
 
“Central to this strategy is a transport vision for Westmead that is well-connected and sustainable while anticipating changes in land use, population and travel demand,” Mr Elliott said. 
 
“It will capitalise on more than $14 billion committed by the NSW Government for public transport, including the Parramatta Light Rail and Sydney Metro West, to support our target of 50,000 jobs in Westmead by 2036.”
 
Minister for Active Transport and Cities Rob Stokes said 43 initiatives have been identified to achieve the vision for future transport in the area.
 
“These initiatives include the transformation of Westmead Station as a centrepiece of the precinct, along with a walking and cycling network that links locals and visitors to nearby beautiful open spaces,” Mr Stokes said.
 
“The implementation of this strategy will greatly increase access to and from Westmead within a 30-minute public transport journey, and we will explore a trial of night-time on-demand services for the activation of a 24-hour economy.”
 
The NSW Government will now progress the outcomes of the Westmead Place-based Transport Strategy and collaborate with councils to prepare an integrated transport and traffic study to support the future rezoning of the area.
 
For more on the Westmead Place-Based Transport Strategy visit Future Transport (nsw.gov.au)
 
For more on the Westmead Place Strategy visit Westmead – (nsw.gov.au)