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Thousands of health and hospital workers across ambulance, cleaning, allied health, admin, security, catering and wards will walk off the job this Thursday to demand a genuine pay rise as opposed to the pay cut being offered by the State Government.

Despite repeated attempts by the Health Services Union to open up the State’s hospital awards and begin genuine bargaining for productivity-based pay rises, health and hospital workers have been left with no alternative.

Everything is going up except their pay. The most recent quarterly figures showed inflation running at 3.5 per cent, with economists tipping it will hit five per cent within months. Under the NSW wages cap, public sector pay increase can not legally exceed 2.5 per cent.

Gerard Hayes, HSU NSW Secretary said workers are fed up.

“Health and hospital workers are sick of mealy-mouthed rhetoric. We don’t need another politician thanking us for being heroes of the pandemic, we need a pay rise.

“When politicians and managers retreated to air-conditioned zoom meetings, paramedics, ward assistants and security guards exposed themselves to COVID, without a vaccine, and often without masks and protective gear. We did our bit for the community.

“Now as the pandemic subsides, health and hospital workers are being smashed by higher prices and stagnant wages. The rent on a three bedroom home in Sydney surged 11.3 per cent in the last year. And everyone knows mortgage interest rates are set to double.

“Every time a hospital worker fills up at the bowser they’re being stung for more than two dollars a litre.

“Unfortunately this tightfisted approach spills over to the private sector. If a therapist in a public hospital can’t get more than 2.5 per cent, how does someone in an aged care facility doing the same work bargain for higher wages?

“NSW and the nation desperately need higher wages and this needs to start in the NSW health system.”
Thursday’s action includes:

A stop work meeting for 4 hrs from 10am – 2pm at all major metro hospitals;

A stop work meeting for 2 hrs from 10am -midday at major regional hospitals including John Hunter, Wollongong, Gosford, Coffs Harbour, Murrumbidgee, Bathurst, Tweed and Tamworth..

Stop work meetings at all remaining regional hospitals.

Paramedics to stop work meeting from 7am to 8am (emergency response unaffected) to vote on further industrial action.

While pearl is the traditional gift for a thirtieth anniversary, the NSW Government is celebrating 30 years of the Seniors Card by making it digital via the Service NSW app.
 
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the digital Seniors and Seniors Savers Cards will make life easier for seniors by taking the hassle out of everyday transactions.
 
“Seniors have already embraced the Service NSW app through programs like Dine & Discover NSW and the Digital Driver Licence, and this digital option provides them with greater choice and flexibility,” Mr Dominello said.
 
“The Service NSW app is secure and convenient, and digital cards and credentials mean there is one less thing for customers to carry around with them.
 
“The rollout follows a successful pilot with 4,000 participants, with the vast majority giving it the thumbs up.”
 
Minister for Seniors Mark Coure said the program has been providing savings since its inception in 1992, including on gas and electricity.
 
“We have brought this service, which has been beneficial for easing the cost of living for seniors, into the twenty-first century,” Mr Coure said.
 
“When this initiative was first introduced by the then Premier of NSW, John Fahey, 250,000 seniors had access to discounts and rebates from 320 goods and service providers.
 
“Now, it is one of the largest programs of its kind in Australia, with 1.8 million seniors able to access discounts and rebates at more than 6,500 shops, travel, entertainment and professional services.”
 
The digital cards will be opt-in only and customers will continue to receive a physical card.
 
To find instructions on how to add a digital Seniors or Senior Savers Card to the Service NSW app or to learn more visit service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/nsw-seniors-card-program  
 
Top 10 Sydney postcodes for Seniors Card holders:
 
 

The NSW Government continues to break down barriers in women’s sport following the opening of the $650,000 Her Sport Her Way Grant Program.
 
The Her Sport Her Way Grant Program is providing more than $2.5 million over four years to State Sporting Organisations and State Sporting Organisations for People with Disability to help increase participation, promote leadership and encourage inclusivity.
 
Minister for Tourism and Sport Stuart Ayres said the program provided a platform to drive change in women’s sport.
 
“We are committed to building a stronger sport sector where women and girls are valued, recognised and have equal choices and opportunities to lead and participate,” Mr Ayres said.
 
“The Her Sport Her Way Grants Program enables sports to develop innovative ways to encourage participation, promote role models and foster inclusivity.
 
“I urge all NSW sporting organisations to explore how to get more women and girls involved in sport, both on and off the field, and apply for a grant.”
 
Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said the grants will deliver a welcome boost that will benefit the whole community.
 
“Women’s sport is going from strength to strength. The Her Sport Her Way Grants Program is a fantastic way to inspire even more girls and young women to get involved in sport,” Mrs Taylor said.
 
Grants of $10,000 – $50,000 are available with sports able to seek grants for multiple projects across various locations.
 
The Her Sport Her Way Grants Program is part of the NSW Government’s women in sport strategy, Her Sport Her Way, which is driving change for women’s sport in NSW.
 
As a result of the strategy, the NSW Government has prioritised $450 million in investment in female friendly facilities through its sports infrastructure funding programs pools.
 
“Through this significant investment, we are making sport safer and more inclusive for women and girls across NSW.”
 
The Her Sport Her Way Grants Program is open until Thursday 28 April at 1pm. For further information please visit: www.sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants/her-sport-her-way

Defence businesses across the state will be supported to engage in active research and development, thanks to support from the NSW Government to co-fund a program led by Australia’s national science agency CSIRO.
 
The established CSIRO Innovate to Grow program, currently being trialed for the NSW defence sector, will turbocharge industry innovation, create jobs and secure the future of the NSW defence industry.
 
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Stuart Ayres said applications are now open, with a focus on businesses either directly involved with or looking to expand into the defence sector, across key regions including Greater Sydney, the Hunter, Shoalhaven/Illawarra, Riverina-Murray and Capital Regions.
 
“This program will leverage innovation-aware businesses interested in taking their operation to the next level by investigating new research and development opportunities and wider engagement with research organisations,” Mr Ayres said.
 
“Our vision for a forward-thinking and world-leading NSW defence industry depends on removing barriers to collaboration between industry and researchers to harness the potential of long-term partnerships.
 
“Piloting this program for defence will complement our existing defence industry innovation efforts, including $1.9 million to support the NSW Defence Innovation Network to generate hi-tech defence solutions and develop a collaborative research ecosystem.”
 
The NSW Government has provided $25,000 to upskill up to 30 defence-compatible small to medium businesses via the free self-paced 10-week virtual program to provide expert connections and training to understand R&D opportunities.
 
Member for the South Coast Shelley Hancock said the NSW Government’s investment in defence businesses provides a ripe opportunity for local businesses to collaborate with the public sector.
 
“The South Coast is home to some of our nation’s hardest workers and brightest minds,” Mrs Hancock said.
 
“These projects will enable sharp-minded and ambitious businesses to further boost their capabilities, contribute to a state-wide defence program and train their staff. All while supporting the state’s invaluable defence industry.”
 
CSIRO SME Collaboration Lead Dr George Feast said the program had a successful track record to date in a range of high-priority sectors.
 
“To date we’ve delivered the program to more than 200 businesses in a number of key sectors including cyber security and agriculture, and will be expanding to energy manufacturing, health and now defence,” Dr Feast said.
 
“Our primary goal through this program is to equip businesses with the right knowledge and capabilities to enable them to build their confidence with getting involved with R&D, which can help them come up with new ideas for their business.
 
“Each course is very much sector-specific, and participants will get to hear directly from industry and research experts, be paired with a CSIRO or university mentor and work alongside other like-minded businesses.”

The Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade (DEIT), a new NSW Government department, is open for business from today reinforcing the state’s commitment to economic development, job creation, innovation, new technologies, and liveability.
 
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Stuart Ayres said the new department brings together enterprise and trade, tourism and hospitality, arts and culture, sport, and Western Sydney under one cluster.
 
“Bringing together these agencies and groups into a new ecosystem will help drive our state’s post-COVID economic transformation and create sustainable jobs of the future right here in NSW,” Mr Ayres said.
 
“We are positioning NSW as the best place in the world to do business − where innovation, trade, tourism, sport and culture work together to drive the dream combination of economic strength and vibrant lifestyle.
 
“We want to help NSW businesses find new markets and help drive collaborative partnerships between government and non-government organisations to fuel economic growth, and make Western Sydney an economic powerhouse.
 
“This is also about ensuring we have the world’s best arts and cultural institutions, sporting facilities and events to create thriving communities and attract tourists alike.”
 
DEIT Secretary Amy Brown said the new cluster will not just focus on economic outcomes but has a mandate to ensure liveability is a key focus for prosperity.
 
“The quality of our neighbourhoods, workplaces and cities has a significant factor on our economic development and our ability to attract talented workers, students and innovative companies to NSW,” Ms Brown said.
 
“The new department will allow for more cohesive inter-agency planning and decision making, allowing us to build on our reputation as the number one place for people across the world to invest, live, visit, study, grow and play.”

West and South-West Sydney community groups can now apply for WestInvest funding with the $1.6 billion Community Project Grants program open to registrations of interest today.
 
Community, sports, multicultural and faith based groups, non-government organisations, Local Aboriginal Land Councils, universities, Local Councils, registered charities and more are encouraged to put forward transformative ideas for their neighbourhoods.
 
Eligible projects must be based in one or more of the 15 eligible Sydney Local Government Areas and deliver transformational infrastructure that addresses one of the six focus areas:
 

1. Parks, urban spaces, and green space;
2. Enhancing community infrastructure such as local sporting grounds;
3. Modernising local schools;
4. Creating and enhancing arts and cultural facilities;
5. Revitalising high streets;
6. Clearing local traffic.

 
Treasurer Matt Kean said the allocation of $1.6 billion to community grant projects would enable locals to take the lead on infrastructure projects that would benefit the community.
 
“Any eligible organisation with a great idea to improve livability in the West and South-West can now apply for a share in these grants to fund a project which will make a difference in their community,” Mr Kean said.
 
“This isn’t about major roads or tunnels or highways – this is about more quality green space, better high streets, strengthening the connection between schools and communities and improving local facilities. This is about allocating funds to projects that will make a real difference in the West and South-West of Sydney.”
 
Minister for Enterprise and Trade, and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said WestInvest had been designed to fund projects that address real, local community need.
 
“This $1.6 billion grant program is significant, and its importance lies in that it is driven by local people with local ideas,” Mr Ayres said.
 
“This isn’t a top-down approach to community improvements – this is about informed, capable community groups being able to access funds for projects to transform their communities on a tangible, local level.
 
“Already we have had more than 5,300 submissions suggest projects through the WestInvest Have Your Say website, so we know the people of the West and South-West Sydney want to have input into the infrastructure projects in their neighbourhood.”
 
Community organisations will be able to participate in the mandatory Registration of Interest (ROI) process by 21 April, 2022 to help inform their applications and determine their eligibility.
 
Applicants will be advised of the outcomes of the ROI process before grants open for eight weeks from 2 May, 2022 until 27 June, 2022.
 
The $5 billion WestInvest program is designed to fund transformational infrastructure projects that will enhance communities. In addition to the $1.6 billion in grants for community projects, $400 million in non-competitive funding will be allocated directly to each of the 15 eligible local councils.
 
A further $3 billion is set aside to deliver transformational projects that will benefit local communities, led by NSW Government agencies.
 
To find out more about WestInvest and how your organisation can apply and to access application support, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/westinvest

The community has been provided with its first look at designs for the $438 million Shoalhaven Hospital redevelopment showcasing the vision for the state-of-the-art health facility.

Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the NSW Government is investing in a significant expansion of Shoalhaven Hospital, which will provide the local community with enhanced health services.
 
“In a major step forward for the redevelopment, new artist impressions have been unveiled today revealing the design for the hospital precinct, which will transform healthcare services for the Shoalhaven community and improve health outcomes,” Mr Hazzard said.
 
Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the redevelopment of Shoalhaven Hospital is about future proofing healthcare in the region. 
 
“I’m very excited to share the new artist impressions of the Shoalhaven Hospital redevelopment with the community and encourage everyone to provide feedback as we move forward with its delivery. This major investment from the NSW Government marks a new era in healthcare for the South Coast,” Mrs Taylor said.
 
“A new acute services building connecting to the existing hospital, rooftop helipad, and refurbishment of existing hospital buildings are just some of the highlights of this major redevelopment.
 
“The NSW Government is also improving access to the hospital with alternate entry and drop off areas on Shoalhaven Street and off North Street. There will also be a new dedicated entrance for ambulances.
 
“The project team has been working closely with clinicians and key healthcare stakeholders and we’re now encouraging the local community to provide their feedback which will inform the design of the project.” 
 
Local Member and the Parliamentary Secretary for the South Coast, Shelley Hancock, said the southern end of Nowra Park will be retained as greenspace for the local community to enjoy.
 
“Landscaped areas will also be established on the hospital’s ground to create a welcoming space and enhanced experience for patients, staff and visitors,” Mrs Hancock said.
 
Mrs Hancock encouraged the local community to attend pop-up stalls that will be taking place throughout the region, where members of the project team will be on site to answer any questions about the redevelopment.
 
The community pop-ups are scheduled for the following locations and times:

• Shoalhaven Hospital, Wednesday, 30 March 2022 from 4pm – 6pm
• Stockland Nowra, Thursday, 31 March from 10am – 12pm
• Berry Mall (next to Berry Pharmacy), Thursday, 31 March from 2pm – 4pm
• Ulladulla Shopping Centre, Friday, 1 April from 10am – 12pm
• Vincentia Shopping Village, Friday, 1 April from 2pm – 4pm
• Bunnings Nowra, Saturday, 2 April from 10am – 12pm

 
The $438 million Shoalhaven Hospital redevelopment will provide new facilities including cardiology, mental health and aged care wards, more operating theatres and a new emergency department, and there will also be greater access to more specialised staff, equipment and technology.
 
The Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital will complement other health projects for the Illawarra Shoalhaven community, including $700 million for the new Shellharbour Hospital, and recently completed projects including $11.8 million for the new Shoalhaven Hospital multistorey car park, $37.1 million towards the Bulli Hospital, and the Dapto and Ulladulla HealthOne projects, delivered as part of the $100 million HealthOne program.
 
The project is part of the NSW Government’s record $10.8 billion investment in health infrastructure to 2024-25, with nearly a third of the capital allocation in this financial year going towards regional and rural health facilities.
 
To view the plans and find out more about the proposed new hospital, please visit www.shoalhavenredevelopment.health.nsw.gov.au