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New dedicated walking tracks and pedestrian and cycling links connecting towns in the Blue Mountains are among the latest projects funded through the Local Council projects announced as part of the $5 billion WestInvest Fund.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet, Treasurer Matt Kean and Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman announced more than $9 million in funding to the Blue Mountains City Council for three projects, which will deliver transformational infrastructure to shape the future of Western Sydney.
 
The $2 billion WestInvest Community Project Grants includes $400 million for 15 Local Government Areas in West and South West Sydney, with funding shares based on population size.
 
Projects funded in the Blue Mountains include:

• $3.5 million for the Lomatia Park Clubhouse and Amenities Upgrade project to replace an ageing building with a new fit for purpose facility to improve access to sport and recreation.
• $3.2 million for the Active Transport Links – The Greater Blue Mountains Trail to deliver 4.5km of walking and cycling tracks to connect key towns in the Blue Mountains.
• $2.4 million towards the spectacular 20km multi-day Grand Cliff Top Walk project, delivering improved and accessible walking tracks, visitor parking, amenities and open space infrastructure at Gordon Falls Reserves.

 
The Blue Mountains City Council has provided a total of $179,752 in funding towards the Grand Cliff Top Walk project and the Lomatia Park Clubhouse project.
 
Mr Perrottet said these projects will make it easier for the community and visitors to explore the beautiful natural assets in the Blue Mountains and build a brighter future for people of Western Sydney.
 
“The Active Transport Links – The Greater Blue Mountains Trail project will deliver more than 4.5km of safe walking and cycling tracks creating better connections between key destinations in Glenbrook, Bullaburra, Hazelbrook, Woodford and between Wentworth Falls and Leura for the first time,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“This record investment in Western Sydney has been made possible by of our successful WestConnex asset recycling strategy, with communities across the region now benefitting from new major investments that will deliver better local facilities, open spaces and convenient services all closer to home for families, businesses and residents.”
 
Mr Kean said the WestInvest funding for the Grand Cliff Top walk project will build on the work being undertaken by the NSW Government and the Blue Mountains City Council to deliver key sections of the new 20km, two day walk.
 
“The Grand Cliff Top Walk, which is well underway thanks to joint funding from NSW National Parks and Wildlife along with Blue Mountains City Council, is the first substantial new walking track in the Blue Mountains in more than 70 years,” Mr Kean said.
 
Minister Tuckerman said the projects funded in the Blue Mountains align with the feedback from the WestInvest Have Your Say survey.
 
“The projects put forward by Blue Mountains City Council will conserve and enhance the environmental, economic, social and physical wellbeing of the community and is consistent with the feedback from the WestInvest Have Your Say survey.”
 
The Blue Mountains City Council was allocated 23 million through the Local Government Allocation. Additional projects submitted by council for the combined value of $13.5 million are being assessed and will be funded if they meet all requirements under the WestInvest Guidelines. Announcements on other LGAs will be made soon.
 
The $5 billion WestInvest program was made possible by the Government’s successful WestConnex asset recycling strategy.
 
A further $1.6 billion from the $2 billion Community Project Grants is available to local community groups. Successful projects will be announced from December.
 
A total of $3 billion is also set aside to deliver transformational projects led by NSW Government agencies. These projects are expected to be announced later this year.
 
To find out more about WestInvest visit www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/westinvest

The NSW Government will invest $110 million to activate new and emerging industries, drive high value jobs and help the regions reach their economic potential.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the Regional Investment Activation Fund was aimed at making regional NSW the location of choice for private sector investment.

“Our Government has a big, bold vision for regional NSW – and this fund is about helping bring that vision to life,” Mr Toole said.

“We’re putting more than $100 million on the table to co-invest in game-changing projects that turbocharge priority industries or locations in the regions.

“It will be open to expressions of interest from investors across Australia and around the world interested in expanding or setting up in regional NSW.”

Mr Toole said the fund would help activate the economic potential of the State’s Special Activation Precincts, Regional Job Precincts and other priority locations.

“The NSW Government’s unprecedented investment is making regional NSW the location of choice for investors both here and around the world,” Mr Toole said.

“This fund will help support new and emerging industries where regional NSW has a competitive edge and put our communities in the box seat for the future.”

The Regional Investment Activation Fund will co-invest with eligible businesses in projects that aim to deliver, significant economic, social and/or environmental benefits for a priority industry or location.

Projects must be based in regional NSW, support sustainable employment opportunities and be completed by 30 May 2025.

Applications are now open. For more information visit www.nsw.gov.au/RIAF.

A pioneering tutoring initiative supporting school students to recover following COVID lockdowns has benefits beyond its original aim of improving student learning, a new evaluation has shown. 

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the NSW Government’s COVID Intensive Learning Support Program was seeing benefits for students and early career teachers.  

“We are seeing students’ confidence and classroom engagement improve thanks to the support they’re receiving, along with providing hundreds of pre-service teachers invaluable hands-on experience,” Ms Mitchell said.  

A recent evaluation of the COVID Intensive Learning Support Program examined its impact on student learning and engagement from the teachers’ perspective, the quality of the program-specific teaching and learning resources, as well as some of the challenges encountered by schools.  

The evaluation revealed student confidence and engagement improved by 80 per cent, and students’ motivation and attitude towards school had improved by 77 per cent and 69 per cent respectively.  

A wider evaluation of the program, including academic outcomes of students involved, will be completed by the end of Term 1 2023. 

The NSW Government invested an additional $383 million to extend the program in 2022. The total investment is more than $700 million since 2021.  

Third-year university student Mackenzie Allen spent two days a week for a year at Oak Flats Public School in the Illawarra, providing literacy and numeracy tutoring under the supervision of an accredited teacher.   

“This experience has cemented my future career aspirations in the teaching profession,” Mackenzie said. 

Australia’s biggest renewable energy and storage policy, the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap officially launched today, paving the way for a cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy future for NSW.
 
Minister for Energy Matt Kean said the first tender for renewable energy and long duration storage contracts opens today, the first in a series of bi-annual tenders over 10 years to replace retiring coal fired power stations with modern electricity infrastructure.
 
“NSW is targeting the construction of 12 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030, enough to power the equivalent of 5.8 million homes, as well as 2 gigawatts of long duration storage like pumped hydro, making this the biggest renewable energy policy in Australia’s history,” Mr Kean said.
 
“The opening of the first tender marks a major milestone in the delivery of our renewable energy and storage plans, it’s expected to create a jobs and investment boom across NSW.”
 
Mr Kean said that the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap is the State’s landmark energy policy designed to replace the generation capacity from four out of five of NSW’s coal-fired power stations, which are scheduled to retire in the next 11 years.
 
“NSW is building five massive Renewable Energy Zones across the State, which will produce cheap, clean electricity for generations to come and create major investment opportunities for industry and small businesses.
 
“Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has put enormous pressure on power prices and shows why we need to fast track our plans to replace ageing power stations and reduce our reliance on generation that relies on volatile international commodity prices.”
 
The Roadmap is forecast to lead to savings of around $130 a year on average on the typical household electricity bill and $430 a year on the average small business electricity bill between 2023 and 2040, compared to if the Roadmap is not implemented.
 
Registration is open until 28 October, which is when project bids close.

Residents in Burwood will benefit from activated high streets and laneways, new and expanded local parks, gardens and playgrounds and an innovative library pod funded by the $2 billion WestInvest Community Project Grants program.   
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet, Treasurer Matt Kean and Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman today announced $20.7 million in funding to Burwood Council for eight projects through the city-shaping WestInvest program, which will deliver transformational infrastructure projects in West and South West Sydney
 
The $2 billion WestInvest Community Project Grants includes $400 million for 15 Local Government Areas in West and South West Sydney, to advance priority local projects.
 
Projects funded in Burwood include:

• $6.6 million for the Burwood Main Street Transformation Project to transform Burwood Road into a vibrant and iconic food and culture destination.
• $3.9 million for the Dean Street Precinct Transformation which will build on the current NSW Government-funded trial to create a permanent food and entertainment destination in the heart of Burwood Town Centre.
• $2.7 million for the Henley Park Sports Field Upgrade which will revitalise two aged sports fields to improve sport and recreational facilities.
• $814,641 for the Henley Park and Russel Reserve Expansion which will transform 1,450m2 of underutilised land into a new open space.
• $2.2 million for the Strathfield Place Making Project which will transform Bells Lane into a vibrant laneway and shared pedestrian zone, increasing outdoor dining.
• $2.5 million for the Burwood Park Inclusive Play Space to support a makeover of Burwood Park into an inclusive and welcoming recreational precinct.
• $1.2 million for the Woodstock Sensory Garden Project which will revitalise an underutilised open space on the edge of the Burwood Town Centre.
• $876,150 for the Burwood Library Pod which will implement new technology to deliver an innovative and purpose built 24/7 library pod in Enfield.

 
Burwood Council has contributed $107,196 towards the Burwood Park Inclusive Play Space project.
 
Mr Perrottet said the projects funded in Burwood will deliver new and exciting infrastructure for everyone in the community to benefit from. 
 
“WestInvest will help secure the best quality of life for families in West and South West Sydney,’’ Mr Perrottet said.
 
“These projects put forward by Burwood Council will reinvigorate and reimagine high streets and laneways and revitalise local parks, providing great enjoyment to the local community.”
 
Mr Kean said the High Street activation projects will transform streets with colourful public floor art and overhead catenary lights and artworks showcasing the local heritage and history.
 
“The Woodstock Sensory Garden is supported by community engagement and provides safe and accessible green spaces, particularly for people with a disability,” Mr Kean said
 
“The library pod project in Enfield allows users to scan their library card to borrow and return from the selection of 600 books curated based on the community profile.”
 
Mrs Tuckerman said the NSW Government allocated each of the 15 local WestInvest councils a share in WestInvest funding to accelerate projects to ensure communities benefit sooner.
 
“The projects put forward by Burwood Council are the result of years of community engagement and are aligned with the outcomes of the WestInvest Have Your Say survey,” Mrs Tuckerman said.
 
“This WestInvest funding will expedite priority community initiatives that we feel will have the greatest impact on the ground for residents in the Burwood local government area.”
 
Announcements will be made on projects submitted by the other LGAs soon.
 
The $5 billion WestInvest program was made possible by the Government’s successful WestConnex asset recycling strategy. A further $1.6 billion from the $2 billion Community Project Grants is available to local community groups. Successful projects will be announced from December.
 
The $5 billion WestInvest program also includes $3 billion to deliver transformational projects that will benefit local communities, led by NSW Government agencies.
 
To find out more about WestInvest visit www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/westinvest

Innovative NSW businesses and their homegrown defence and aerospace technology and products will be on show at a major international trade show this week.
 
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Alister Henskens said the NSW Government is supporting 26 NSW businesses with prime floor space to attend and extend their networks at the Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition, held at the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre.
 
“With defence and aerospace as a priority sector for the NSW Government, Land Forces provides our local businesses with the opportunity to showcase their capabilities to industry leaders including the Chief of Army and respected counterparts from across the world,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“The unique and diverse capabilities on display at the NSW Government stand range from composite manufacturing, cyber security, telecommunications and robotics through to innovative power drives and human-machine interface engineering.
 
“NSW is well placed to lead Australia in growing and nurturing the defence and aerospace industry, underpinned by our world-class advanced manufacturing capabilities and leading universities and research institutions that are primed to accelerate technological advancements and innovation.”
 
Reach Robotics Commercial Director Anders Ridley-Smith said the company, specialising in advanced robotic arms for harsh environments, relished the chance to show their products to domestic and international industry decision makers.
 
“With the NSW Government’s support, we can proudly display our robotic arm and controller, and build on our strategic and export opportunities,” Mr Ridley-Smith said.
 
Alongside the 26 businesses at Land Forces, the NSW Government will provide other NSW businesses attending the event with a dedicated platform to open new doors and reinforce the message that Sovereign Defence and Aerospace is made in NSW.
 
More information about NSW at Land Forces 2022 is available online.