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Sydney’s newest fire station at Oran Park is now fully operational with the $6.1 million facility significantly enhancing emergency response capability in the south west growth corridor.

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke joined Member for Camden Peter Sidgreaves, Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies, Camden Mayor Therese Fedeli and Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Paul Baxter today to officially open the new station.

“This state-of-the-art station will have a permanent crew of firefighters operating 24 hours a day to protect the people of one of the fastest growing regions of our State,” Ms Cooke said.

“It includes separate amenities and rest areas for both female and male firefighters, designated ‘clean firefighter’ areas to eliminate carcinogen contamination, training areas and fitness facilities.

“It also has two firefighting appliances with specialised HAZMAT capability which are able to respond to dangerous chemical, biological or other toxic incidents.”

Mr Sidgreaves said Oran Park Fire Station has been strategically positioned to protect growing communities.

“This new station is going to stand communities of the south west in good stead for years to come, joining Fire and Rescue NSW stations at Narellan and Camden to provide a strong network of protection,” Mr Sidgreaves said.

“We’ll also see the addition of 32 permanent firefighting jobs which will be a huge boost to our local economy and I’m thankful that despite the pandemic and wet weather impacts, we now have a fantastic facility to make our community safer and stronger.”

Commissioner Baxter said the station’s engine bay caters for a Hazmat fire pumper as well as a heavy Hazmat appliance.

“The inclusion of major Hazmat capability here provides an added layer of protection for the people of south west Sydney,” Commissioner Baxter said.

“The layout includes environmentally-friendly measures including a solar-power array, LED lighting and it was designed to face the north-west to lower the total cooling load on its air conditioning system. I’m certainly impressed seeing this project come to life and it will provide firefighters with a station they can be proud of for decades to come.”

Catching public transport is now easier and more convenient for commuters in Sydney’s south-west following the official opening of the new Revesby Commuter Car Park.

The Liberal and Nationals Government has delivered more than 14,000 commuter car spaces across Sydney since 2011 with around 4000 additional spaces on the way.

Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott today officially opened the new car parking spaces with Member for East Hills, Wendy Lindsay.

Mr Elliott said major upgrade works to construct additional levels to the existing Revesby multi-storey commuter car park, delivered commuters access to more than 375 new car parking spaces, including nine accessible. 

“Commuter car parks play a critical role in improving access to public transport and delivering a more convenient and seamless journey, particularly in middle and outer metropolitan areas like Revesby,” Mr Elliott said.

“This project is being delivered as part of the Commuter Car Park Program which has committed more than $351 million over the next four years to provide more convenient access to public transport at key interchanges.”

Member for East Hills, Wendy Lindsay said the construction of hundreds of additional parking spaces delivered a significant improvement for commuters within the community.

“Key benefits of the upgrade works include extension of the lifts, stairs and internal ramps to the additional upper levels, additional accessible parking spaces, Park&Ride boom gates and provision for future electric vehicle charging spaces,” Ms Lindsay said.

“The project required 3504 cubic metres of concrete and 437 tonnes of steel with a total of 86,300 hours of work carried out by 900 workers across the lifespan of this project.”

Other features include rooftop solar panels as well as CCTV, lighting and wayfinding for improved safety and security.

The Liberal and Nationals Government has also committed more than $350 million over the next four years to see the delivery of more than 2000 additional car parking spaces for the surrounding communities in Beverly Hills, Como, Emu Plains, Edmondson Park North and Riverwood.

Greater Western Sydney Giants will transform its training and community centre at Sydney Olympic Park into a new centre of excellence thanks to a $15 million grant from the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the project would provide a home ground for the Giants AFLW team, as well as high-performance facilities for the club’s AFL, AFLW and netball teams.

“Women’s sport is experiencing exponential growth and this project has a particular focus on creating more opportunities for women and girls in AFL,” Mr Perrottet said.

“The $15 million investment to develop new facilities will also help the Giants expand its community outreach program, by increasing access and utilisation for grassroots community sporting clubs and schools in Western Sydney.”

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the funding will support the installation of new lighting, scoreboard, oval fencing and a swimming pool complex.

“This program is bridging the gap between elite sport and the grassroots, by bringing our sporting heroes closer to the community and creating strong links with pathway and development programs,” Mr Henskens said.

“Since 2017 the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has invested more than $2 billion in grassroots community sport, through infrastructure grant programs and the nation-leading Active Kids voucher program.”

The Centre of Excellence Fund aims to improve talent pathways by providing funding towards the development of integrated high-performance sporting and community facilities.

Projects funded through the program must include multi-purpose facilities, enabling organisations to expand community programs and engage with the community.

GIANTS CEO David Matthews said this is a significant announcement for the football club and for women’s football in New South Wales.

“This project is imperative for us to continue to grow and expand our training and community facility for our AFL, AFLW and netball teams and work towards developing a dedicated AFLW stadium right here at Sydney Olympic Park,” Mr Matthews said.

“This project will enable all stakeholders to deliver on our collective objectives of better servicing the communities of Western Sydney and providing economically responsible solutions to a host of needs from grassroots sport to the elite level.

“We thank the NSW Government for their continued support of the development of the GIANTS’ centre of excellence and our female pathway opportunities.”

Slashing home energy bills and emissions is the focus of a new $8 million program to pilot innovative ways to fully decarbonise homes in up to three local communities across NSW.

Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean said the falling price of clean technologies like rooftop solar, batteries and heat pumps was making it easier for households to save money on their energy bills while lowering their carbon footprint.

“Households can save hundreds of dollars on their energy bills by upgrading to new, energy efficient appliances or installing rooftop solar, making it more cost effective to live in a zero emissions home,” Mr Kean said.

“This trial will focus on finding the best ways to save households money on their energy bills by installing zero emissions appliances and technologies.”

“This is all about using the latest technology to give people more control of their energy bills, while contributing to NSW’s target to reduce emissions by 70% by 2035.”

The NSW Government will run a competitive process to partner with the private sector to test cost effective ways to upgrade to zero emissions homes in an urban, regional and remote community.

Mr Kean said that no two homes were the same, from stand-alone homes in the regions to apartment blocks in the cities, making it important to trial the cheapest suite of zero emissions technologies across different communities.

The pilot program will launch in the second half of 2023 and will be voluntary for households in the selected communities to join.

It is now easier for motorists with disabilities to find accessible parking across Sydney streets and carparks, thanks to a new nation-leading Park’nPay Accessibility Portal, giving drivers the power to search for hundreds of accessible spots with the tap of a button.  

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the Accessibility Portal is an easy-to-use web-based platform, allowing people to search for accessible parking at their desired location, and filter for the time and day the space is needed as well as by parking type. 

“We are continuing our journey to improve the accessibility of services for the more than 400,000 people with mobility parking permits and want to offer them an easy way to find parking before they leave their driveways,” Mr Dominello said. 

“It can often be time-consuming for drivers with a disability to find a suitable parking space especially if they are unfamiliar with the area they are travelling to.

“Motorists will be able to use the Accessibility Portal to find a spot which best suits their needs, the number of accessible spaces at a location, get directions and real-time availability for accessible spaces.”

The NSW Government has already integrated 383 accessible parking spots across four Sydney councils. When completed, the program will cover roughly 3600 accessible parking spots across 30 Sydney Metro councils.

Mr Dominello said users would be able to select a spot with the recognisable wheelchair icon to indicate it is an accessibility bay with the spot being green if it is available to use or red if occupied. 

“This is a great example of using technology to be more inclusive and this enhancement will make it easier than ever to plan a journey and find a parking spot,” Mr Dominello said.

“Instead of spending time and wasting petrol driving around looking for an accessible park, we have an innovative solution which gets drivers where they need to go.

“The Park’nPay app will also have an accessibility mode option where customers with a mobile parking permit can customise their experience to search for accessible parking, start a parking session and receive notifications.”

Vice President of Google Cloud – Australia and New Zealand Alister Dias said the NSW Government and Google share a vision for a strong and inclusive digital future for all Australians, and technology can play a pivotal role in helping deliver improved outcomes.

“Working closely with the Department of Customer Service and Physical Disability Council, Google Cloud is optimising the Park’nPay experience by analysing parking sensor data to provide real time parking and travel information, ensuring motorists with disabilities can better plan trips and park with ease,” Mr Dias said.

Physical Disability Council NSW CEO Serena Ovens said: “The Accessibility Portal further enhances our member’s capacity to source accessible parking information easily including the ability to check the streetscape they will be parking in.”

“Any information that assists people with mobility needs to better understand their parking options is welcomed. PDCN applaud Google’s involvement in the Park’nPay app as an important innovation that supports the inclusion of the disability community.”  

Real-time parking data will come online in the app as each council area is onboarded and will be completed in 2023.

The Portal is a joint initiative between the NSW Government, Google and the Physical Disability Council of NSW.

For more on the Accessibility Portal visit: https://accessibility.parknpay.nsw.gov.au/  

Police have arrested and charged a woman wanted on an outstanding warrant in Sydney’s West.

Officers attached to the North West Metropolitan Region Domestic Violence High Risk Offender Team commenced an investigation to locate a 40-year-old woman, wanted on an outstanding warrant for breaching an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order.

Following inquiries and a public appeal, about 1.20pm today (Wednesday 15 February 2023) officers attached to the Domestic Violence High Risk Offender Team attended an address in Colyton, where a 40-year-old woman was placed under arrest and taken to Penrith Police Station.

She was charged for the outstanding warrant and breach of bail conditions.

The woman was refused bail and is due to appear at Penrith Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 16 February 2023).

Plans for the Sydney Terminal Building revitalisation are now open for public feedback, detailing the proposal for customer and community experience improvements, heritage restoration and new retail, dining and events spaces. 

The plans will transform hidden spaces such as the storeroom and loading dock into a multi-purpose event space and thriving marketplace, connecting previously inaccessible areas and creating a world class transport interchange.

Minister for Infrastructure Rob Stokes said the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) now on public exhibition reflects early feedback about the need to improve wayfinding and accessibility, retail offerings and heritage restoration.

“Central Station is Sydney’s gateway to the regions. The magnificent colonnade and clocktower are a centerpiece of our state to be celebrated,” Mr Stokes said.

“The sandstone walls of the Sydney Terminal Building have witnessed so many moments of Australian history, great and small.  So many farewells and reunions that have formed the collective memory of NSW.

“Heritage enhancements come with modernisation, introducing Wi-Fi connectivity, charging points for commuters and a brand new event space for live music, public art and pop-up events.”

The EIS will outline the proposed renewal of the Sydney Terminal Building, including the loading dock, Grand Concourse, Booking Hall and the Central Electric Building.

In addition to the creation of new social spaces for the community, the revitalisation will also prioritise new and improved pedestrian connections including new lifts, stairs and escalators to provide convenient and direct pedestrian connectivity.

The community will be able to provide feedback from February 8 to March 8 2023 which will inform a decision by the Minister for Planning on the project. If approved, construction could start this year and would take around three years to complete.  To have your say on the Sydney Terminal Building EIS go to: www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/sydney-terminal-building-revitalisation

A new network dedicated to creating stronger connections between first responders, businesses and researchers will develop cutting-edge technology and help NSW better prepare for fires and floods.

Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology Alister Henskens said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $5.2 million to establish the Bushfire & Natural Hazards Technology Network, which will connect companies developing innovative technologies with emergency services, researchers and experts.

“NSW is already a world leader in bushfire technology and this new network of experts will build on that strong foundation to ensure we continue to develop cutting edge solutions that have the potential to save lives,” Mr Henskens said.

“On top of that, R&D and innovation in this space will create new jobs and cement NSW as Australia’s economic engine room and a global innovation powerhouse.”

The Network forms part of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s $28 million Bushfire Response R&D Mission, which aims to help the State better prepare for future natural hazards, as well as position NSW as a global leader in the commercial development and export of bushfire technology and services.

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the Network builds on the recently announced Bushfire and Natural Hazards Research Centre.

“Undertaking research and developing new technology will pay dividends for the State’s emergency services who will be better able to respond to the natural disasters we will inevitably face into the future, keeping our local communities safer and stronger,” Ms Cooke said.

More details and grants application can be online.

It is imperative that we support our hardworking healthcare providers and protect their ability to provide essential services to their communities. One Nation strongly advocates for an exemption for general practices (GPs) in Queensland who are facing a new patient tax imposed by the Palaszczuk’s Labor government.

The Labor government’s new interpretation of payroll tax laws has resulted in a 4.75% increase in total billings for doctors who work as contractors. This tax is not only burdensome, but it is also unjust as the cost will be passed onto patients with already stretched budgets. Healthcare services, as a basic human need, should be exempt from taxes, especially when public hospitals are exempt from payroll tax.

The RACGP conducted a survey, which showed that 87% of practices would have to pass on the tax to patients, while only 3% of practices could absorb it. This tax would lead to the end of bulk billing and result in increased out of pocket costs for patients by as much as 15%. It would have a negative impact on the most vulnerable members of our community who have the lowest income and are at most risk of adverse health outcomes.

The state’s already strained hospital system won’t be able to cope with this new influx of patients who have no recourse but to turn up at their local accident and emergency. This tax would break general practices, increase bed block, and make it impossible for GP practices to support their patients.

Labor’s new patient tax is unjust and detrimental to the wellbeing of our communities. We call for a tax exemption for GP practices and for the government to fulfill their 26 pre-election promises of no new or increased taxes. Let’s work together to ensure that patients have access to affordable and quality healthcare services.

Update 3/2/2023:

Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick has claimed he has ‘averted disaster’ by agreeing to delay the tax until after the next Queensland Election (Courier-Mail 3/2/2023). The tax will still go ahead, Mr Dick is just kicking the can down the road.

One Nation strongly opposes payroll tax, especially a tax on the sick, vulnerable and aging, such as this.

A network of 13 magnificent Great Walks is being established in NSW national parks as part of a plan to transform our State into a bushwalking mecca, ready to rival other multi-day walks in Australia and beyond.

Launching the NSW Great Walks Strategy, Minister for Environment James Griffin said NSW is the best State in Australia to explore nature on foot.

“These 13 NSW Great Walks cover more than 630 kilometres, from our sun kissed shorelines, highest summits, and rainforests millions of years in the making.

“Our magnificent multi-day walks shouldn’t just be for the more hardcore hikers, which is why we’re offering many styles of walk and accommodation so visitors from far and wide can enjoy the diverse landscapes in our nearly 900 national parks and reserves.

“Hiking in nature is one of the most popular outdoor activities in the world, and our Great Walks will help bring more visitors to our rural and regional areas where they boost local economies.

“NSW national parks already contribute about $18 billion and 74,000 jobs to the State’s economy every year, and three quarters of the economic benefits of national parks are delivered in rural and regional areas.”

Visiting national parks is one of the top three things visitors do when travelling to a rural or regional destination, and more than 90 per cent of people in NSW are interested in walking in national parks.

NSW national parks welcomed more than 60 million visitors annually prior to the pandemic, and visitation levels are growing.

The NSW Great Walks Strategy will help deliver durable walking tracks, protect environmentally sensitive areas, withstand severe weather, and provide infrastructure to meet future population growth.

The NSW Liberal and National Government is currently delivering the largest investment in national parks history, with $450 million dollars for more than 200 visitor infrastructure projects across the state over four years.

Since 2019, the NSW Government has secured more than 600,000 hectares for addition to the national park estate to protect threatened habitats, wildlife and cultural heritage in perpetuity.

For more information and to read the Great Walks Strategy, visit https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/parks-reserves-and-protected-areas/park-management/nsw-great-walks