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Leading members of NSW universities, industry and government have met at Western Sydney University to officially launch the Operational Network of Air Quality Impact Resources (OPENAIR) program.

The Launch event took place as part of a two-day workshop convening project participants from the NSW Government, NSW-based small businesses, five universities and 13 local government councils.

Matthew Riley, Director of Climate and Atmospheric Science from the Department of Planning and Environmentsaid the project would create a best practice methodology for different air quality issues local governments face in different communities across NSW.

“The primary objective is to develop informational resources that councils can use to solve their air quality issues. Eventually, this will result in an information hub enabling the data to be shared with the broader community. 

“TheDepartment is working with the participating LGAs and the researchers from across the NSSN member universities to implement low-cost sensors to provide additional localised air quality information to the public. We will also use the localised data collected under this program to supplement the data captured by the NSW air quality monitoring network.”

Professor Jason Prior from the UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures said the collaborative approach to the OPENAIR project is key to its success. 

“Working with local councils and small businesses means that our research will consider their needs and experiences, ensuring that the resources we design will be truly useful to them.”

NSSN Co-Director Professor Benjamin Eggleton commended the project team noting the project demonstrates the value of collaboration between the universities, industry and government.

“The project is led by a multidisciplinary group of researchers from across the NSSN member universities, working together with councils and small businesses to develop repeatable best practices for using low-cost sensors to address various air quality issues, including bushfire smoke, coal dust monitoring and urban heat sensing.

“The project builds on the Network’s strong capability in air quality research, which has been built up since the early days of NSSN. We have seen a national shift in understanding the importance of air quality on health; with strong support from our university, government and industry partners, this project will make a significant inroad towards solving local air quality issues for each of the participating councils.”

OPENAIR is a $2.4 million air quality monitoring research and development program led by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) in collaboration with the NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN). 

The program has received a $1.78 million contribution from NSW Government through the $45 million Smart Places Acceleration Program, which is part of the Digital Restart Fund.

Participating universities

The University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Australian National University (ANU), University of Sydney, University of New South Wales (UNSW), and the University of Western Sydney.

Participating councils

Hawkesbury Council, Lake Macquarie Council, Muswellbrook Council, Newcastle City Council, Northern Beaches Council, Orange Council, Parramatta City Council, Ryde Council, Sunshine Coast Council, Sutherland Council, Tweed Council, Wollondilly Council, Wollongong Council.

Declaration 

The NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN), a consortium of eight leading universities across NSW and the ACT, is a not-for-profit innovation network that brings together universities, industry and government to translate world-class research into innovative smart sensing solutions that create value for NSW and beyond.

Netball NSW is delighted to announce that highly respected sports administrator Tracey Scott has been appointed as the organisation’s new Chief Executive Officer. 

An internal appointment, Scott is currently employed by Netball NSW (NNSW) as Executive General Manager of the NSW Swifts and has a fine track record across a range of sports at both Executive and Board levels.  

She takes over from interim CEO Andrew Jones who departs to take up the CEO role at Racing Victoria.

Before joining the Swifts, Scott previously held senior roles at Cricket Australia (CA) and Football Australia and also has a strong background in all aspects of the sporting pyramid having been a player, coach and administrator in various roles from the grassroots to the elite.

Growing up in regional Western Australia and having first-hand experience at the critical role sport plays in regional and metropolitan communities, Scott represented the State in hockey at U18 and U21 levels and later coached the game in the Victorian junior pathways and competitions, as well as being actively involved in her local hockey club. 

Scott has a Masters of Law (with a focus on sport) from Melbourne University and over a nine-year period served as a Director on the Boards of both Hockey Victoria and Hockey Australia. Most recently in 2021 she was invited as a Panel Member to the National Sports Tribunal.

In football she served as Deputy Commissioner of the A-Leagues, overseeing the delivery of professional Men’s and Women’s competitions and working closely with the clubs, broadcast partners and the Players Association.

During her time in football, she was selected as the Professional Game Representative to join FIFA’s inaugural Professional Women’s Football Taskforce, comprised of 10 representatives worldwide.

Prior to her time in football, Scott spent seven years with CA working primarily as their Senior Legal Counsel to support all facets of the business, but with a strong focus on broadcast, high-performance, participation and player relations.

Since joining the Swifts, Scott has overseen the successful delivery of the Premiers’ 2022 Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) campaign – the Club’s first full home-and-away season since 2019.

In 2022 the Swifts led the league with the highest average attendance of any SSN side and, despite a host of injury and COVID disruptions, only just missed out on a fourth consecutive Finals appearance by goal percentage.  

NNSW President Louise Sullivan congratulated Scott on her appointment.

“On behalf of the Board I would like to congratulate Tracey on her elevation to our Chief Executive Officer role after a rigorous and thorough recruitment process,” Sullivan said.

“Tracey comes from a small country town and possesses a genuine understanding of the struggles faced by regional athletes aspiring to play at state level and be provided with access to sporting opportunities.

“Both her life and professional experiences have given her a unique insight into how sport works at both ends, and that is a real asset for us.

“Tracey has been quick to make her mark on the organisation since taking over at the NSW Swifts and really impressed us with her vision for the game at both elite and grassroots levels.

“Her time at the Swifts has given her a real overview into how our high-performance systems work, while events such as the recent Senior State Titles have demonstrated to her how vast the game’s reach is.

“Importantly, only cricket and football have grassroots numbers that compare to netball’s, and Tracey has a wealth of experience in those codes.

“While the game’s national body is facing a number of well publicised challenges, NNSW is in a strong position and the Board is excited to work with Tracey to continue the advancement of our game in all areas.

“On behalf of the Board I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Andrew for his contribution over the past three months. His expertise has been invaluable and we wish him all the best in his new role at Racing Victoria.”

Scott is both honoured and excited by her elevation.

“Since joining the wider NNSW family via the Swifts I have seen first-hand the amazing people involved in the game, and the delivery of a world-class product,” she said.

“Both the NSW Swifts and GIANTS boast some of the best athletes in the world and the netball high-performance system is head and shoulders the clear leader for women in Australian sport, if not world sport.

“None of that is possible, however, without the community game which remains our backbone and key foundation. I feel netball has only scratched the surface of its potential and I am excited for what is ahead for the game.

“The good news is all the ingredients are there and, after two years of COVID disruption, we have so much promise ahead. I cannot wait to work together with our entire netball family to bring to life the next phase of evolution for netball in NSW.”

More people than ever before will be supported to get a first job, a new job or a better job thanks to a record $2.8 billion recurrent investment in skills and training through the 2022-23 NSW Budget.
 
As part of the landmark investment, the NSW Government is delivering a record $2.0 billion recurrent investment in TAFE NSW – Australia’s largest training provider.
 
Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said in addition, TAFE NSW will also receive a $318.9 million capital investment to upgrade teaching equipment, facilities and digital infrastructure, taking the total capital spend on TAFE NSW to $792.2 million since 2020-21.
 
“This Budget cements the golden era of investment in skills and training in NSW, delivering more opportunities than ever before to help people get the skills they need for the jobs they want,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“This unprecedented investment will accelerate the skills-led recovery, which has already delivered hundreds-of-thousands of fee-free training places and contributed to low unemployment rates.”
 
“NSW continues to lead the nation in creating a pipeline of skilled workers for the future and this Budget invests in everything from employment pathways for young people through to cutting-edge training in new and emerging industries.”
 
“The Budget also doubles down on the importance of TAFE NSW to our economy, delivering a record recurrent budget for the nation’s largest training provider, while investing more in capital funding in TAFE NSW than ever before.”
 
The NSW Government will invest $82.7 million over four years to deliver fee-free apprenticeships, traineeships and priority qualifications for people across NSW, with a particular focus on industries experiencing high demand for skilled workers.
 
The Budget will also provide $25.1 million for the statewide expansion of Careers NSW, to enable people in every part of the state to access free career guidance and expert advice to help them get the job they want.
 
Highlights of the NSW Government’s investment in TAFE NSW include $108.5 million in recurrent expenses over four years for the two new Institutes of Applied Technology at Kingswood and Meadowbank.
 
In Northern NSW, TAFE NSW Kingscliff will receive $32.7 million in capital funding to significantly expand course offerings in critical local industries such as healthcare and electrotechnology, while TAFE NSW Coffs Harbour will receive a $29.6 million upgrade.

The NSW Government has announced a $5.5 billion investment for the NSW Police Force to ensure police have even more resources to drive down crime and keep our communities safe.
 
Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Paul Toole said the 2022-23 NSW Budget included a record $434 million of capital expenditure for new and upgraded police stations, buildings and training facilities across the State.
 
“The NSW Government is committed to providing our 22,000 sworn police officers and staff with world-class infrastructure and equipment to ensure they have all the tools they need to stay ahead of the game when it comes to tackling crime,” Mr Toole said.
 
Specifically, the record $434 million capital expenditure will include:
 

• New police stations in Blayney, Byron Bay and Port Macquarie
• $54.3 million for the continued upgrade of the Goulburn Police Academy including new technology and training facilities, building refurbishments, driver training and Critical Incident Response Training facilities upgrade
• A multipurpose Active Armed Offender Training facility in Dapto and the fit-out of metropolitan Active Armed Offender Training facilities
• Upgrades to the NSW Police Firearms Registry in the Tweed Heads area

 
In addition, $95.9 million has been allocated for the additional 550 police officers who will join the front line during 2022-23, as part of the NSW Government’s $583 million commitment to recruit 1,500 police over four years.
 
Other NSW Police Force funding commitments include:
 

• $96.3 million over five years for fully integrated digital devices that increase connectivity between police vehicles and command posts, and to introduce automatic activation of body-worn video when Glock pistols and tasers are used
• $3.8 million to provide a permanent armoured-vehicle capability in four targeted regional locations in NSW and provision of an additional motorcade armoured vehicle
• $18.6 million over four years for the replacement of various specialised vehicles allocated to a broad range of commands, including Forensic Command Vehicles, Search and Rescue Vehicles, and Operational Support Vehicles
• $16.6 million over five years for specialist vehicles to contain and transport individuals in custody 
• $48.7 million over four years to establish an ongoing training program for major Information and Communications Technology infrastructure

 
Mr Toole said the Budget also included funding for an Integrated Biometric Platform that would enhance the systems police use to create profiles of offenders.
 
“Streamlining the process for key evidence such as DNA, fingerprints and photographs will drastically improve the capabilities of police to identify offenders involved in serious crimes,” Mr Toole said.
 
Acting Commissioner David Hudson welcomed today’s Budget announcement, saying it was a much-needed boost that would continue to modernise the police force.
 
“We’re training hundreds of new police officers every year who are committed to keeping communities safe, often putting themselves in harm’s way to protect others,” Acting Commissioner Hudson said.
 
“Simply put, they wouldn’t be able to do their jobs safely and efficiently without specialist equipment and technology.
 
“The funding announced today will significantly improve the capability of our general duties and specialist police officers resulting in improved community safety across the State.”

$400 million will be invested over the next four years in Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW), the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) and the NSW State Emergency Service (SES), bringing the NSW Government’s investment in emergency services in 2022-23 to more than $4.2 billion to make communities safer and stronger.
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said funding emergency services was critical to protect communities from natural disasters.
 
“Our volunteer and paid first responders are on the front line of emergencies, standing between danger and the community to keep people safe,” Ms Cooke said.
 
“They have been confronted with every challenge imaginable in recent months and years, whether it’s bush fires, a global pandemic, floods or storms.
 
“This Budget will help them continue their life-saving work with the equipment, resources and facilities that they need, and deserve, to protect communities across NSW.
 
“As severe weather events increase it is important, now more than ever, to make sure our emergency services like FRNSW, RFS and SES are better-prepared for the challenges of natural disasters that lie ahead.
 
“Today’s record Budget supports our emergency services to build resilience by completing the majority of funding in response to the Bushfire Inquiry and pledging the biggest-ever single investment in the SES.”
 
The 2022-23 NSW Budget includes:

• $1.4 billion for Resilience NSW for previously announced programs in response to the February and March 2022 storms and floods, with this funding to be provided to various Government agencies.
• $200.3 million for existing disaster recovery programs.
• $191 million for the RFS in response to the Bushfire Inquiry, including:
  • $105.6 million to replace or retrofit fire trucks;
  • $75.4 million to expand the number of mitigation crews; and
  • $10 million to enhance strategic fire trails.
• $132.7 million for the SES, including:
  • $58.7 million to upgrade 18 critical priority unit facilities;
  • $43 million to create two new zones;
  • $11.7 million to establish Zone Headquarters in the two new zones with Level 3 Incident Control Centre capabilities;
  • $18 million to upgrade existing Zone Headquarters to Level 3 Incident Control Centres; and
  • $1.3 million to develop a Facility Strategy and complete further detailed business cases to address the remainder of the recommendations from the independent review into the 2021 flood event.
• $56.5 million for the RFS to construct six fire control centres.
• $30 million for FRNSW, including:
  • $21 million over four years to undertake capital works that will address minimum gender-separation provisions, equipment-cleaning facilities and contamination management; and
  • $9 million to complete the recommendations of the Bushfire Inquiry by acquiring 16 firefighting tankers.

The NSW Government is committing $700 million for construction and improvement to Western Sydney’s road network, including major projects such as the Western Harbour Tunnel.

Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said the 2022-23 NSW Budget investment would build upon the Government’s commitment to deliver transformative developments while upgrading existing infrastructure.

“The funding delivered today is all about investing in local communities, creating thousands of local jobs and delivering projects that will improve the daily lives of motorists,” Mrs Ward said.

“Western Sydney is the heart of the NSW economy. We are investing to provide safer more reliable trips and cutting journey times to enable people to spend less time in the daily commute and more time with loved ones.

“One of the first actions of this government was to improve how Western Sydney is connected through WestConnex. This budget is about connecting motorists to our major roads with $614 million over next four years in State and Commonwealth funding for the Mulgoa Road upgrade.”

The Government’s commitment to Western Sydney includes:

• $866 million in capital expenditure ($1.2 billion over four years) to continue construction of the WestConnex Motorway, including delivery of the final stages of the project, the M4-M5 Link Tunnels and Rozelle Interchange by 2023
• $206 million in capital expenditure ($1.2 billion over four years) for NSW and Commonwealth Government-funded road upgrades to support the Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek, including The Northern Road between Narellan and Penrith, and the M12 Motorway
• $31 million ($614 million over four years) of State and Commonwealth government funding for the Mulgoa Rd Upgrade Stages 1, 2, 5A and 5B
• $2.6 million ($223 million over four years) of State and Commonwealth Government funding for M5 Motorway – Moorebank Avenue – Hume Highway Intersection Upgrade
• $10 million ($50 million over three years) of State and Commonwealth Government funding for Richmond Road Stage 1 – Elara Boulevard to Heritage Road, Marsden Park

Mrs Ward said this year’s Budget included key investments in roads right across Greater Sydney.

“The ultimate goal of our roads infrastructure program is to make it easier for people to move around the network safely and in as little time as possible,” Mrs Ward said.

“This budget is about looking at the other projects that are required across Sydney, making it easier for motorists to get to and from work and ensuring parents have more time to get their kids to sport on the weekend.”

Additional infrastructure commitments for wider Sydney include:

• $1.5 billion in capital expenditure ($3.7 billion over four years) to continue construction of the Sydney Gateway project and M6 Stage 1 Extension
•  $557 million ($4.1 billion over four years) to progress the Western Harbour Tunnel
• $116 million in capital expenditure ($357 million over four years) for pinch points
• $79 million in capital expenditure ($243 million over four years) to continue planning the duplication of Heathcote Road between The Avenue and Princes Highway, start construction between Infantry Parade and The Avenue, and start early works for Woronora River Bridge
• $17 million ($108 million over four years) for the construction of Henry Lawson Drive widening between Tower Road, Georges Hall and Auld Avenue, Milperra (Stage 1A) to double capacity and reduce congestion and continue development of Stage 1B between Keys Parade and the M5 Motorway
• $12 million ($124 million over four years) for the Epping Station Bridge Widening
• $25 million ($340 million over four years) for the Mona Vale Road West Project
• $40 million ($150 million over three years) for Wakehurst Parkway
• $30 million ($144 million over four years) for King Georges Road Stage 1 and 2a
• $74 million ($243 million over three years) for Prospect Highway, Reservoir Road to St Martins Crescent widening
• $4 million ($32 million over three years) for the Jervis Bay Road Intersection (State and Commonwealth funded)

Services to support small business will receive a cash injection in the 2022-23 NSW Budget.   

Minister for Small Business Eleni Petinos said as a key provider of goods, services, and jobs, small business is at the heart of local communities, and that this funding from the NSW Government is vital. 

“The number of small businesses in NSW grew by four per cent last year to almost 800,000 and about 98 per cent of all businesses in NSW, so it is critical to the economy and our communities that they have strong support,” Ms Petinos said. 

The NSW Small Business Commission will receive $9.5 million over the forward estimates to boost mediation and support services for small businesses. The additional recurrent funding would provide ongoing support for small businesses as they recover from COVID-19. 

“In 2021 the Commission received a record 47,500 enquiries and over 2,300 applications for mediation, helping thousands of small businesses resolve lease issues and negotiate rent deferrals under the COVID regulations.  

“Thanks to the work of the Small Business Commission about 90 per cent of disputes are able to be resolved without the cost of going to court.” 

Additionally, the Business Connect program will receive a further $5 million over the next three years to provide dedicated services to women-led small businesses. 

“Since 2017, Business Connect has already helped more than 44,000 small businesses by providing them with personalised and tailored support to help them to start, adapt and grow their operations.”  

“We’re expanding this program to upskill these leaders with the tools they want, whether it be marketing, social media, business planning, and digital literacy.” 

Businesses across the State will be also supported to stop sexual harassment in the workplace, following the launch of a SafeWork NSW Respect at Work Taskforce.  

The taskforce will receive $9.7 million over four years to deliver on Kate Jenkins’ Respect at Work Report by ensuring employers comply with their duty under Work Health and Safety laws to prevent sexual harassment at work. 

“Sexual harassment is not just a cultural problem, it is also an economic problem given lost productivity, staff turnover and other associated impacts. 

“With almost 40 per cent of women having been sexually harassed at work in the past five years, the taskforce will develop a suite of resources and target high-risk industries and workplaces where gender-based harassment is prevalent. 

“This investment will provide employers, including small businesses who may need the extra support, with best-practice guidance on ways to create workplaces that are free from sexual harassment.” 

For more information on the Small Business Commission, please visit: smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au

For more information on Business Connect, please visit: nsw.gov.au/working-and-business/about-business-connect

For more information on the SafeWork NSW Respect at Work taskforce, please visit: safework.nsw.gov.au/compliance-and-prosecutions/respect-taskforce

Public spaces, parklands and public transport will undergo a women’s safety overhaul as part of a $30 million anti-street harassment initiative to be co-designed with women and girls in the 2022-23 NSW Budget.
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said recent surveys show 90 per cent of young women don’t feel safe in public spaces after dark.
 
“I have heard too many stories of women taking the long way home to avoid dark streets, or calling a friend while walking in case something goes wrong,” Mr Kean said.
 
“Safety shouldn’t depend on who you are or where you are.”
 
The NSW Government will launch an anti-street harassment campaign and pilot solutions such as lighting, CCTV and foot traffic upgrades at Parramatta Park and The Rocks, with more locations to be announced in coming months. 
 
Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes said it was important to start with Parramatta Park because of its tragic history.
 
“We will work with women and girls to design safer cities for everyone, designing solutions across our public spaces, parklands, precincts and public transport system,” Mr Stokes said.
 
“The measures we’ll implement range from better lighting to boosting foot traffic, with the aim of improving the way we build and design infrastructure across the board.”
 
Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Natalie Ward said the program was important to improve safety and reduce harassment on our streets.
 
“This program seeks to address both the symptoms, as well as the cause of why so many women feel unsafe in our cities, especially after dark,” Mrs Ward said.
 
“This is why funding will also go towards education campaigns that seek to shift community attitudes, and reaffirm that harassment and assault on our streets is not acceptable.”
 
The program will include up to 10 pilot projects across the State, with the development of a policy tool-kit to assist Local and State Government in the design of future public space and infrastructure projects.