{"id":4022,"date":"2019-10-28T12:00:14","date_gmt":"2019-10-28T12:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/?p=4022"},"modified":"2019-10-28T12:00:14","modified_gmt":"2019-10-28T12:00:14","slug":"nsw-government-weekly-update-25-october-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/2019\/10\/28\/nsw-government-weekly-update-25-october-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"NSW GOVERNMENT WEEKLY UPDATE \u2013 25 OCTOBER 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

CONSTRUCTION OF THE WESTERN SYDNEY METRO TO START NEXT YEAR<\/strong>
\nConstruction will soon begin on the Western Sydney Metro, with seven station locations confirmed – a project that will slash travel times between Parramatta and the Sydney CBD down to around 20 minutes.
\nThe locations of seven proposed Metro stations have been confirmed at Westmead, Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park, North Strathfield, Burwood North, Five Dock and the Bays Precinct.
\nWestern Sydney Metro will more than double the existing rail capacity between Greater Parramatta and the Sydney CBD and slash travel times between Parramatta and the Sydney CBD to around 20 minutes
\nThe project is also anticipated to create approximately 10,000 direct and 70,000 indirect jobs.
\nBACK TO BASICS: STUDENTS TO FOCUS ON MATHS, ENGLISH AND SCIENCE<\/strong>
\nThe NSW school curriculum is set for its first major shakeup in over a generation, with a renewed focus on maths, English and science, following the release of the interim curriculum review.
\n\u201cThe NSW Government strongly supports a back to basics approach,\u201d Ms Berejiklian said.
\n\u201cStudents need to have strong foundations in maths, English and science to be prepared for the jobs of the future and for attaining lifelong skills.\u201d
\nThis is the first review of the curriculum to be done in 30 years. Students need to be equipped with strong literacy and numeracy foundations to succeed in the 21st<\/sup>\u00a0Century.
\nMATHS TO BE COMPULSORY FOR STUDENTS<\/strong>
\nMaths will be compulsory for all students in the revised NSW curriculum to ensure students are prepared for the jobs of the future.
\nNSW Government is working to make maths compulsory from Kindergarten to Year 12 to ensure students have the numeracy skills required to succeed in today\u2019s society.
\nEarlier this week the interim report into the NSW Curriculum Review was released signalling the start of the biggest shakeup to the NSW curriculum in over 30 years.
\nNEW CURRICULUM MAKING IT EASIER FOR STUDENTS TO TAKE UP A TRADE<\/strong>
\nSchool leavers will benefit from an accelerated pathway from Year 12 to TAFE NSW with the NSW Government announcing a new program to incentivise study at TAFE. The program will make it more attractive for high school students to take up a trade or apprenticeship by allowing students to receive recognition for what they have already learnt at school.
\nRAISING THE STANDARDS OF MATHS TEACHING IN NSW\u00a0<\/strong>
\nPeople wanting to teach maths in NSW primary schools will need to have achieved at least a Band 4 or equivalent in Maths for the HSC Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell.
\nFrom 2021, students sitting the HSC will need to achieve at least a Band 4 in maths to become a primary school teacher in NSW.
\nNSW GOVERNMENT PROVIDES CERTAINTY FOR MINING INVESTMENT<\/strong>
\nThe NSW Government will introduce a package of measures to prevent the regulation of overseas, or scope-three, greenhouse gas emissions in local mining approvals.
\nThe proposed legislation will clarify the concerns around the export of coal after a recent decision by the Independent Planning Commission to impose a scope-three emissions condition on its approval of the United Wambo coal project.
\nThe mining sector is a major employer in regional NSW, driving investment opportunities and job creation and the Government\u2019s changes deliver certainty for mining companies and investors across the State.
\nThese changes will help restore NSW law and policy to the situation that existed prior to the Rocky Hill decision and will provide the mining sector with greater certainty
\nMORE NSW HOUSEHOLDS TO BENEFIT FROM SOLAR<\/strong>
\nUp to 3,000 low income households in five areas will be offered a free rooftop solar system and installation worth $4,000 in a NSW Government funded trial that will also shave more than $300 a year off their energy bills.
\nThe NSW Government has committed $15 million to reduce the impact of high energy prices, particularly for vulnerable low-income households.
\nSTRONG FOUNDATIONS SET FOR BUILDING REFORM<\/strong>
\nThe NSW Government continues to deliver on its promised suite of reforms to the building and construction industry, with the introduction of the\u00a0Design and Building Practitioners Bill 2019\u00a0<\/em>to the NSW Parliament.
\nThe Bill outlines key accountabilities of design and building practitioners for the first time, and aims to improve the quality and integrity of vital design documentation, relied upon by construction professionals and directly addresses the key recommendations of the\u00a0Building Confidence Report<\/em>.
\nNEW BUS CONTRACTS TO DRIVE IMPROVED SERVICES<\/strong>
\nBus customers will receive additional services and innovative on demand options under new contracts to lift the standard of transport across Sydney.
\nThe NSW Government will invite the world\u2019s leading public transport operators, Australian and international, to bid for contracts for 13 of Sydney\u2019s bus contract regions over the next three years.
\nThe NSW Government will continue to:<\/p>\n