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The NSW Government is set to boost the state’s commitment to sovereign defence industry capabilities with the launch of a new $1.23 million Regional Defence Networks Program aimed at making it easier for local businesses to expand and supply to the defence and aerospace industry.
 
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Stuart Ayres said that the three-year program will focus on driving business growth across four key regions: Western Sydney, Shoalhaven/Illawarra, Riverina-Murray and the Hunter.
 
“We know that procurement requirements and entering the defence market requires a deep understanding of the industry, so we want to do all we can to help existing suppliers grow, and support new players to enter the sector,” Mr Ayres said.
 
“This program is about helping businesses understand the defence supply chain and identify that their offering has value and need. We want to turn local businesses from being ‘Defence Interested/Able’ to ‘Defence Ready’.”
 
Following a competitive procurement process, Investment NSW, working with Western Parkland City Authority and Regional NSW, has appointed four partner agencies to deliver the program:
 

• Ai Group for the Western Sydney region
• Shoalhaven City Council for the Shoalhaven/Illawarra region
• Hunter Defence Cooperative for the Hunter region
• NSW Business Chamber for the Riverina-Murray region.

 
“These organisations have a deep understanding of the defence ecosystem in their respective regions, which is critical to achieving the program’s objectives and in turn expand NSW’s defence and aerospace capabilities,” Mr Ayres said.
 
Find out more about the NSW Defence and Industry Strategy at
https://www.business.nsw.gov.au/defence-nsw/what-we-do/nsw-defence-and-industry-strategy.

The littlest learners living in remote NSW now have better access to quality early childhood education with three new flexible learning programs in Ivanhoe, Louth and Pooncarie.

The flexible approach will allow bespoke delivery of programs for children in remote parts of the state, including engagement through School of the Air and partnerships with local schools.

Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the NSW Government is providing support for children and families in the most remote parts of NSW to enable children to have easy access to a quality education.

“This is a win for our little ones in the regions and I am excited that they will have the same opportunities as their city counterparts, despite living in some of the most remote parts of the state,” Mr Toole said.

“We know that this will have enormous benefits and long term impacts for the rest of their lives and help to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.” 

Located in the Far West of NSW with a population of around 200, the town of Ivanhoe is home to one of the state’s newest preschool programs, with additional communities expected to take up the opportunity in 2022.

Two days per week, preschoolers at Ivanhoe will participate in both face to face learning and online learning through School of the Air.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said this was part of an ongoing commitment from the NSW Government to increase universal access to quality preschool in remote areas of the state.

“It is important every child in NSW has access to a quality early childhood education, no matter their background or location,” Ms Mitchell said.

“The flexible learning programs are part of the Rural and Remote Education Strategy we established to ensure that all children in rural and remote communities have access to quality early childhood education in the year before school.”

Principal of Ivanhoe Central School Greg Edwards said the concept of the preschool program on site has been embraced by the small town and said he hoped that it would attract more people to live there.

“Having access to preschool is essential for our kids and helps them to start their first year of school with a strong foundation,” Mr Edwards said.

“Parents have told me how excited they are for the program to begin and how easy it will make their lives having it located right here on school grounds.”

The program is now also available to children in Pooncarie and Louth who commenced learning at their new preschools this week.

Individuals and councils impacted by the flood events unfolding in NSW can now access the first tranche of NSW Government support through Service NSW.
 
Since February 22, 17 Local Government Areas have been declared as disaster areas.
 
The first round of immediate support is now available to assist as some areas start  their recovery.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said Service NSW was ready to support anyone needing flood assistance.
 
“The scale of these floods is unprecedented and right now, we are still in emergency and response mode. This is the immediate assistance available that has been unlocked by the NSW Government as part of the disaster declarations,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“This is the start of our support measures and there will be more announced in the coming days.”
 
Seventeen local government areas (LGAs) have been declared as disaster areas and are eligible for support through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
 
These areas are: Armidale, Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Glen Innes Severn, Hornsby, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Nambucca, Port Macquarie/Hastings, Richmond, Tenterfield, The Hills and Tweed.
 
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello encouraged people in need of help to contact Service NSW straight away.
 
“The phone lines are staffed, and the information is available – please call 13 77 88 if you need help to find the support you require and assistance you can access,” Mr Dominello said.
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the danger is far from over for many communities across NSW.
 
“While we are still in the emergency phase, recovery is a process that must start as soon as it possibly can,” Ms Cooke said.
 
“The provision of this assistance will ensure we can get people and communities back on their feet as quickly as possible.”
 
Through www.service.nsw.gov.au/floods/financial-assistance the following assistance is now available for those impacted by the floods:
 
Individuals

• A Disaster Relief Grant – to assist low income earners faced with disaster hardship who have suffered damage to the structure or contents of their home.
• Personal and financial counselling.
• Assistance finding temporary housing for those who have been forced from their homes.

Small business, primary production and not-for profit organisation support

• Small business and primary producers concessional loans of up to $130,000
• Concessional interest rate loans for not-for-profits
• Freight subsidies of up to 50 per cent for primary producers

Councils

• Assistance with operational costs and the restoration of essential public assets.

Additionally, residents may be eligible for the Commonwealth Government’s Disaster Recovery Payment, a one-off, non-means tests payment of $1,000 for adults and $400 for children who have been seriously injured, lost their homes or whose homes have been directly damaged, or the immediate family members of a person who has lost their life, as a direct result of the storms and floods. Disaster Recovery Allowances are also available through the Federal Government via Services Australia at servicesaustralia.gov.au  

Service NSW customer care specialists are also able to connect flood-affected customers with services and support information, including:

• Access to emergency accommodation;
• Relevant charitable services;
• Mental health and wellbeing services;
• Financial assistance;
• Insurance and legal advice; and
• Replacing lost ID.

 
For assistance please contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or online via service.nsw.gov.au and via www.service.nsw.gov.au/floods/financial-assistance
 
For emergency help in floods and storms, call the NSW State Emergency Service on 132 500. In life threatening situations call triple zero (000) immediately.

A major contract has been awarded as part of the new Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport line, marking another important milestone in the delivery of this critical rail project.

The $538.5 million contract to deliver approximately 10.4 kilometres of surface and civil alignment works has been awarded to CPB Contractors and United Infrastructure.
The contract includes:

• 3.5 kilometres of elevated viaduct at Orchard Hills and Luddenham.
• 6.7 kilometres of earthworks for track formation.
• A 190 metre long rail bridge over the new M12 motorway.
• A 20 metre long rail bridge within the airport.
• Temporary and permanent access roads.
• Bulk earthworks for the stabling and maintenance facility site.

The driverless 23-kilometre metro line will link St Marys to the centre of the new Aerotropolis at Bradfield via the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport. Six stations will also be built along the alignment.

Work on the project will be ramping up in coming months, providing a significant boost for the region creating 14,000 new jobs, including 250 apprenticeships during construction, and with at least 20 per cent of the workforce to be from Greater Western Sydney.

The Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said this new rail line will become the transport spine for this growing region, with government investment unlocking a new city that will take shape before our eyes.

“This project is creating significant economic stimulus for Western Sydney, ensuring there is a steady pipeline of opportunities for young people in the years to come,” Mr Perrottet said.

“A world class city deserves a world class transport system, this is the next stage in delivering that for the people of Sydney.”

Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said the new metro line would provide a critical transport connection to the new Western Sydney International Airport.

“Our government is continuing to invest billions of dollars in infrastructure across Western Sydney – an investment that will leave a lasting legacy on the region by creating jobs and providing the connections that the region needs as an economic powerhouse,” Minister Fletcher said.

“Today we have announced another major contract for the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project, which once complete will help service the millions of travellers that will use the new Western Sydney International Airport annually once it begins operations in 2026.

Minister for Transport and Veterans David Elliott said the Surface, Civil and Alignment Works will support railway tracks and associated infrastructure and follows the $1.8 billion contract to CPB Contractors and Ghella in late 2021 to deliver 9.8 kilometres of new twin metro rail tunnels.
 
“A new generation of engineers, carpenters, steelfixers, machine operators and other trades will get their start on this project – a unique opportunity to help shape the new Western Sydney Parkland City,” Minister Elliott said.

The third and final major contract package to be procured for the project is expected to be awarded at the end of this year.

The Government raised a record $46.3 million from low range speeding fines in 2021, new government data obtained by NSW Labor reveals.

New South Wales drivers were slugged with almost 333,000 fines for low range speeding offences of under 10km/h over the limit.
 
The Government reaped over nine times the revenue from low range speeding fines in 2021 compared to 2020 – and almost 20 times the revenue compared to 2019.
 
The $46.3 million figure represents an 759 per cent increase from the previous year.
 
In December 2021 the NSW Liberal Government back-flipped on their scheme of hidden mobile speed cameras and agreed to reintroduce warning signs, following pressure from NSW Labor and the broader community.
 
The NRMA and former Roads Minister and Nationals MP Duncan Gay have previously criticised the practice of hidden mobile speed cameras, noting that warning signs work as important behaviour change tools.
 
Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader said:
 
“In a year of lockdowns and financial hardship for many people, this Liberal National Government has collected an extraordinary $46.3 million in revenue from low range speeding fines across 2021.

That’s an over 800% increase compared to the previous year.

“This Government has form on announcing changes but failing to act. They said they would put the signs back in but there is no timeframe for when that is going to happen. In the meantime, NSW motorists will continue to get slugged for fines in this blatant cash grab. It has to end.
 
John Graham, NSW Shadow Minister for Roads said:
 
“Another record month of fines.”
 
“No NSW government has ever collected so much from drivers in fines, tolls and licence fees.”
 
“When will the Premier’s promise to bring signs back be put in place?”

It has been revealed that yet another NSW grant program has been rorted, with nearly 70 per cent of grants being awarded to businesses in Coalition electorates.
 

The Refresh and Renew Grants program 2020-21 offered grants for tourism operators to improve their facilities to meet consumer expectations, with successful applicants receiving $10,000 in unmatched funding.
 

Although the Refresh and Renew Grant guidelines provide for an objective assessment process, 70 of 103 awarded grants were awarded to businesses in Coalition electorates.
 

Although the grants are for regional businesses, more than half of regional electorates which are eligible for the grants are held by Labor and crossbench Members of Parliament.
 

One of these grants was awarded to a café owned by a Government appointed director of Destination North Coast. This grant was favourably assessed by Destination North Coast staff ahead of 141 other applications within the Destination Network which missed out on funding. Documents obtained by the Opposition showing that Destination North Coast staff were aware of the conflict.
 

Assessment of these grants is highly subjective, with evidence requirements largely being based around providing negative customer feedback from websites like Tripadvisor and Google Reviews to show consumer expectation gaps. An example of demonstrating a consumer expectations gap is given as follows:

A hotel proposes to paint the rooms and replace the mattresses. They supply copies of or links to reviews on Tripadvisor, customer feedback surveys, the businesses [sp] own website and/or other platforms where consumers criticise/comment on the uncomfortable mattresses and marked up or peeling paintwork in the rooms.
 

Pork barrelling is out of control under the NSW Liberal/National Government, last year Labor also revealed that:
 

• 95% of the $252m Stronger Communities Fund grants went to councils in Coalition-held or marginal electorates.
• 92 per cent of the projects chosen for the Schools Renewable Energy Infrastructure Pilot Project were in Coalition seats
• Three-quarters of the grants from the Greater Sydney Sports Facility fund were awarded to Liberal-held seats in the lead-up to the March 2019 election; and
• Backbench Liberal and National MPs and MLCs were given the right to assess and announce grant funding in non-government electorates.
• 75% of ClubGRANTS Infrastructure funds were awarded to Coalition-held seats.

In November last year the Premier said:

“I think it’s important there is public confidence to the expenditure of taxpayer funds.” 
[Dominic Perrottet, Press Conference, 3 November 2021]

In a historic vote, Labor’s Private Member’s Bill to stop the rorts passed the Upper House in November 2021 in a show of solidarity against the culture of pork barrelling in NSW.
 

Enough is enough. The Premier must end the rorts and make the grants process more accountable and vote for Labor’s Bill in the Legislative Assembly.

Labor’s Bill will make the grants process fairer and more accountable by:
 

•  Creating a single Grants Register – centralised, transparent and published;
• Requiring Ministers to give reasons in writing for departing from Departmental recommendations;
• Giving “follow the dollar” powers to the Auditor-General to audit grant recipient effectiveness.

NSW Labor leader Chris Minns said:

“Yet again the NSW Government has been caught treating public funds like its own piggy bank.”
 

“Thousands of eligible small businesses outside of Coalition electorates have missed out on a fair share of grant funding.”
 

“Dominic Perrottet needs to put the community ahead of his political party and mates. He should back Labor’s bill and end the grant rorts in NSW.”
 

NSW Shadow Special Minister of State, John Graham said:
 

“The Premier needs to explain to small businesses that missed out, why another grant program has been rorted.”
 

“Enough is enough, we need to fix the broken grants culture in NSW.”
 

“The grants bill is a fork in the road for the Premier. There is cross party support for this bill. Why is the Premier opposing it?”