Category: NSW News

Homeowners across the State are the biggest winners from the NSW Government’s ePlanning initiative, with new figures released today showing increased transparency and reduced DA assessment times.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the results of the initiative reinforce the Government’s plan to mandate ePlanning this year across 42 councils in metropolitan Sydney, Illawarra, Newcastle and Central Coast.
“The initiative with 26 councils has been an overwhelming success – there’s been a 20-day reduction in assessment times where advice is needed from State agencies, 23 per cent of online DAs have been submitted outside office hours, and 1779 hours’ have been saved for councils and local residents,” Mr Dominello said.
“Councils in metropolitan Sydney, Illawarra, Newcastle and Central Coast determine more than two-thirds of all DAs lodged in NSW, accounting for approximately $39 billion in investment value for the State’s economy.”
Mr Stokes said mandating ePlanning in these councils is a key part of the Government’s program to reform the NSW planning system to improve its transparency, certainty and timeliness.
“We’re transforming the planning system by replacing an old paper-based system with a digital platform. Providing customers and councils with real-time information boosts transparency, avoids delays and provides greater visibility of development proposals,” Mr Stokes said.
The mandate will require councils to complete the following via the NSW Planning Portal:

• Commence use of all relevant digital services, including the lodgement of DAs,  Complying Development Certificates (CDCs), and post-consent certificates;
• Process 100 per cent of all planning applications (DAs, CDCs and post-consent certificates);
• Appointment of principle certifying authorities and issue certificates; and
• All new digital services with go-live dates to be determined in consultation with industry and councils.

An industry reference group will be established to allow stakeholders to provide feedback on implementing the roll-out of mandatory ePlanning.
ePlanning will be mandated in the following councils:

Blacktown	Blue Mountains	Burwood	Camden	Campbelltown	Canada Bay
Canterbury-Bankstown	Central Coast	Cessnock	City of Sydney	Cumberland	Fairfield
Georges River	Hawkesbury	Hornsby	Hunters Hill	Inner West	Kiama
Ku-ring-gai	Lake Macquarie	Lane Cove	Liverpool	Mosman	Newcastle
North Sydney	Northern Beaches	Parramatta	Penrith	Randwick	Ryde
Shellharbour	Shoalhaven	Strathfield	Sutherland	The Hills	Waverley
Willoughby	Wingecarribee	Wollondilly	Wollongong	Woollahra	Bayside

For the first time, the NSW Government and non-government organisations are joining forces to conduct street counts of people sleeping rough in almost 300 locations across the state.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said staff from the Department of Communities and Justice were working with homelessness services, community housing providers and local councils to undertake the counts.
“Our Government has committed to halving street sleeping by 2025 and this street count is an important step as we work towards this ambitious target,” Mr Ward said.
“We are putting together the most complete and up-to-date picture possible of the number of people sleeping rough and where we can have the greatest impact.
“These street counts will help foster local collaboration to end street sleeping and inform local approaches to prevention, housing options and post-crisis support.”
The first phase of street counts in February 2020 will provide data for most of the state, with a second phase in April 2020 in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Southern NSW.
CEO of Mission Australia James Toomey said the street count would provide Government and non-government organisations with important data that will help them tackle rough sleeping.
“We need to focus on the things we know work that have an evidence base behind them and by doing that in collaboration we can end street homelessness,” Mr Toomey said.
The Liberals & Nationals Government is committed to halving street sleeping across NSW by 2025 as part of its Premier’s Priorities.
NSW is part of a global movement to end street sleeping, with the Premier signing the Act to End Street Sleeping Agreement in February 2019 with the Institute of Global Homelessness, the City of Sydney and several non-government organisations.

Netball NSW is delighted to announce the 12 athletes selected to represent the state at the 2020 17/U National Netball Championships in April.
This year the Nationals will take place in Hobart, Tasmania from the 18-23 April, at the city’s Netball and Sports Centre.
Teams from each state and territory will contest championships in the 17/U and 19/U age groups. Gold medal matches will be played on Thursday 23 April to decide the 2020 National Netball Champions in both divisions.
Last year NSW took home silver medals in both age groups and will be looking to go one better in 2020.
Netball NSW Head of Netball Nikki Horton said it was a very important milestone for every athlete selected.
“Nationals are one of the big benchmarks on along the Netball NSW pathway and to be selected for a state team is a huge achievement,” she said.
“Last year NSW was very competitive in reaching both the 19/U and 17/U Grand Finals and in 2020 we’ll be hoping to take the next step and bring silverware back to the state.
“I would like to commend every athlete who took part in what was a very long, and rigorous selection process, especially the athletes who have made it to the end.
“We now look forward to working with them and the coaching team as we get ready for Tasmania.”
2020 NSW 17/U Team
Amelia Kirgan (Bankstown City)
Audrey Little (Manly Warringah)
Charli Fidler (Manly Warringah)
Charlotte Smith (Sutherland Shire)
Ella Johnson (Ku-ring-gai)
Erin O’Brien (Northern Suburbs)
Jamie Podmore Taylor (Northern Suburbs)
Kyah Vaeila (Penrith District)
Millie Roach (Ku-ring-gai)
Papi Alaalatoa (Liverpool City)
Skye Gosby (Sutherland Shire)
Sophie Fawns (Wagga Wagga)
Coaches
Head Coach: Amber Cross (Wyong District)
Assistant Coach: Kath Tetley (Baulkham-Hills Shire)
Apprentice Coach: Kirstie Fuller (Gunnedah)
Manager: Jenny Gage-Traill (Northern Suburbs)

Premier Gladys Berejiklian and NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons are encouraging members of the public to attend this Sunday’s NSW State Memorial for the recent bushfires.
Ms Berejiklian said the Memorial will recognise the lives lost and the sacrifices made, and show support for those directly impacted by the fires.
“This Memorial will allow the community to come together to reflect on the bushfire season, recognise the incredible efforts of all our volunteers and emergency services personnel and remember our fallen heroes, as we begin the rebuilding process,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Delta Goodrem will perform “Let It Rain”, which she penned after watching the devastation from the bushfires across Australia. All proceeds of the song are going to aid the bushfire crisis & relief efforts.
“I am honoured to be asked to perform at the State Memorial. “Let It Rain” is a message of gratitude to all the fire fighters, volunteers and everyone affected by the bushfires,” Ms Goodrem said.
The Sydney Children’s Choir and Aboriginal cultural group, Koomurri will also perform.
The State Memorial will pay tribute to the three NSW RFS firefighters, the three American firefighting aircrew, and community members who lost their lives in NSW as a result of the recent bushfires.
It will also recognise the valued contribution of firefighters from all Australian states and territories, as well as the United States, Canada and New Zealand.
“This memorial will give everyone an opportunity to reflect on one of the most devastating bushfire seasons this state has seen,” Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.
“It is a chance to reflect on the impact on the community, the lives lost and recognise the resilience of the many towns and villages that are now starting the recovery process.”
The State Memorial is open to all members of the public and will take place on Sunday, 23 February, at Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Olympic Park starting at 11.30am.
Travel on public transport services to and from Olympic Park will be free for emergency services personnel in uniform as well as accompanying family members or friends. For more information visit the Memorial website.

More than 100,000 rural and regional seniors have successfully signed up for the NSW Government’s new $250 Regional Seniors Travel Card since applications opened on 29 January.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said eligible seniors would soon receive their cards, easing the burden of travel costs and injecting more than $25 million into regional economies.
“This is the first time we are rolling out a program like this. This card puts $250 in the pocket of regional seniors, which can mean an extra few trips to visit grandkids living in other parts of the state, the ease of staying connected locally or the ability to volunteer in local community groups,” Mr Toole said.
Mr Toole said thousands of rural and regional seniors were applying for the card each day, with the eligibility requirements widened to include pension-aged veterans collecting a Service Pension or recipients of a War Widow Pension through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“We’ve heard the feedback from the community, which is why we are now including more seniors in the program. Veterans who are now eligible will be able to apply in the coming months, once we have made the necessary updates to our application system,” Mr Toole said.
Mr Toole said the rollout of the card followed a pilot in Coffs Harbour, where about 80 seniors have been trialling the pre-loaded Visa card.
“Our Coffs Harbour pilot provided valuable feedback and we responded by adding more information to the website and making minor changes to the application form,” Mr Toole said.
“These seniors also told us how easy the card is to use, with participants predominately purchasing fuel, followed by taxi rides, but can also be used to purchase pre-booked TrainLink services.”
Eligible seniors have until 30 November to apply for a card in 2020 and 12 months to use their card from activation. Seniors can apply online at service.nsw.gov.au, in person at a Service NSW Service Centre or over the phone on 13 77 88.

‘Love to Celebrate’ is the theme which hundreds of thousands of NSW seniors will embrace for the 2020 NSW Seniors Festival.
Acting Minister for Seniors Geoff Lee helped officially launch the state-wide festival today with the first of four Premier’s Gala Concerts at the ICC Sydney.
“Our seniors are the heart and soul of our communities and we love putting on these free concerts to see their smiles and hear them sing along with some of Australia’s greatest talent,” Mr Lee said.
“The theme ‘Love to Celebrate’ captures the spirit of our older generation perfectly because they can all celebrate the wonderful contributions they have made to help NSW become what it is today.”
Australian music legend John Paul Young is joining a star-studded line up of talent including Vanessa Amorosi and Paulini at the Premier’s Gala Concerts, which are a highlight of the 12-day festival.
“The Premier’s Gala Concerts enjoy packed houses every year with free world class entertainment and this year the ultimate headline act is John Paul Young, singing ‘Love is in the Air’ on Valentine’s Day,” Mr Lee added.
After tapping their feet to the tunes at the concerts, seniors can learn from dozens of exhibitors at the NSW Seniors Festival Expo, at the ICC Sydney Exhibition Centre.
“The Expo is bigger and better than ever with seniors getting the chance to practice chair yoga, strengthen and tone with Curves gym Balance classes, try out speed friendship sessions,  or sharpen up on their gardening skills with Bunnings.”
More than 500,000 seniors are expected to take part in events across the state over the course of the festival from 12-23 February.
For more information on events in greater Sydney and regional NSW go to: https://www.seniorsfestival.nsw.gov.au

Sydney drivers have given the NSW Government’s new Park’nPay app the thumbs up, with 9,500 app downloads and more than 7,823 transactions since it went live in October 2019 in Liverpool City Council, The Rocks and parts of Darling Harbour and Pyrmont.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said drivers will receive a significant boost, with commercial parking giants Wilson Parking and Secure Parking coming on board in the next few weeks, by supplying data on their parking stock via the app. Central Coast Council will also trial the app.
“The app is convenient and makes life easier for drivers by putting the power of parking in their hands,” Mr Dominello said.
“The technology eliminates the need for drivers to walk to a parking meter by allowing them to pay and top up via the app. It also helps drivers avoid parking fines, by sending a notification when their meter is running low or their park is about to turn into a no stopping zone.”
Mr Dominello said having Wilson Parking and Secure Parking come on board is a game changer for drivers, with tens of thousands more parking bays across Sydney soon to be available on the app.
“Wilson Parking and Secure Parking collectively operate about 250 commercial car parks across metro Sydney, comprising of more than 125,000 parking bays, accessed by millions of drivers each year,” Mr Dominello said.
“This is a big win for drivers. Whether you’re visiting family and friends or doing some shopping, there will be more opportunities to use the app to find that ideal spot and reduce congestion.”
Both commercial parking operators will continue to manage payments through their own platforms. The app has a 92 per cent customer satisfaction rating. It is free and available on iPhone and Android phones. Drivers simply download the Park’nPay app, create an account with their licence plate and payment details. Users have the option of paying with Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Parking inspectors will check to see if a meter has been paid by searching licence plate details using an app on their phone. Parking meters will continue to accept coins and credit cards. For more information visit www.parknpay.nsw.gov.au

The operation to clean-up homes and businesses destroyed and damaged by bushfires across NSW took a major step forward today with debris being cleared from Rainbow Flat properties on the North Coast.
Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro and NSW Police Assistant Commissioner and State Recovery Coordinator Mick Willing joined Laing O’Rourke Managing Director Cathal O’Rourke in Rainbow Flat to oversee the start of clean-up operations.
Mr Barilaro said excavators will clear approximately 40 destroyed properties at Rainbow Flat in the coming days, as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to cover the cost of the clean-up on a 50:50 basis with the Federal Government, so insured and uninsured owners will have more money in their pockets to rebuild their homes.
“The sooner we can safely clear the 2,400 plus houses and thousands of other buildings that have been destroyed across the State, the sooner people can rebuild,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Initial building assessments have already been done for over 41,000 properties. Now the clean-up resources are rolling out across the State.
“Having excavators in place and working so quickly is a testament to Laing O’Rourke’s expertise. I thank them and Public Works Advisory for making this happen, especially given the challenges caused by the weekend downpours.”
Assistant Commissioner Willing said co-ordinating a safe, efficient and timely clean-up effort across the State will be challenging.
“The clean-up includes managing hazardous materials such as asbestos, dangerous trees that are near homes or commercial buildings, along with damaged driveways that could impact on the safety of the clean-up or impede the rebuilding process. We will also be ensuring the huge volume of waste is disposed of correctly,” Assistant Commissioner Willing said.
“This is a mammoth task and I ask people to please be patient for a little while longer, we are coming to your town as soon as possible.”
Mr O’Rourke said Laing O’Rourke will work with qualified local subcontractors and suppliers where possible to take advantage of local knowledge and expertise.
“Laing O’Rourke has pulled together a team of experts in their field from across the industry, and now we are ready to mobilise and get on with the task of helping people recover as soon as possible,” Mr O’Rourke said.
To opt-in to the free property clean-up service, bushfire-impacted owners must register online at www.service.nsw.gov.au or call 13 77 88.

Shoppers looking for the perfect last-minute present for their loved one this Valentine’s Day can find great gift ideas that will directly support businesses in towns impacted by bushfire or drought via the NSW Government’s Buy Regional webpage.
Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro and Minister for Small Business Damien Tudehope encouraged shoppers to share the flavour of regional NSW with their loved one on the 14^th February this year.
Mr Barilaro said the Buy Regional webpage and campaign had significantly boosted trade for regional retailers doing it tough in the lead up to Christmas, however retailers in the bush still need the support of their city cousins to keep towns and local economies alive.
“We know the Buy Regional success stories, of the hundreds of thousands of dollars flowing directly to small businesses across towns like Uralla and Tamworth and I commend shoppers who backed these communities, but now is not the time to stop spending,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Valentine’s Day is a fantastic opportunity to discover last-minute gift ideas from the ever-expanding list of gourmet food retailers and experience providers listed with Buy Regional.
Last-minute Buy Regional gift ideas include;

• Chocolate on Purpose – gourmet chocolate varieties peppered with native Australian fruit and nuts, send with next day delivery or choose an online voucher
• Hunter Belle Dairy – delicious cheese hampers with delivery to Hunter and Sydney
• Terragong House 1858 – book a stay at the heritage property on the South Coast, receive an online gift certificate in time to give your loved one for Valentine’s Day.

Mr Tudehope said that regional NSW’s small businesses are brimming with high quality, unique products which are designed, handmade, carefully curated or prepared with love.
“So many of regional NSW’s small businesses are run by thoughtful teams who put a lot of time and effort into making sure customers have the best possible experience, from the second they click to purchase an item until well after it is received,” Mr Tudehope said.
“For those who can’t Go Regional and visit regional communities in the immediate future, a way to show your love is to purchase your next gift from Buy Regional, whether that’s for Valentine’s Day or an upcoming birthday.”
To buy a regional product or register your business, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/buyregional

War memorials across NSW have secured vital funding for restoration works ahead of this year’s 75^th anniversary of the end of World War Two.
Acting Minister for Veterans Geoff Lee said more than $120,000 in grants have been awarded for war memorial conservation projects, under the NSW Government’s Community War Memorials Fund.
“Our war memorials are precious monuments we need to cherish and protect as they give us a place to reflect and pay our respects to those brave soldiers who fought for the freedom we enjoy today,” said Mr Lee.
“World War Two memorials are significant in this round of grants because this year we will be remembering 75 years since Victory in the Pacific was declared, effectively ending the war.
“On August 15, communities across NSW will remember the courage and sacrifice of our World War Two soldiers and the NSW Government is ensuring local community memorials remain a true testament to the sacrifice made by our soldiers.”
Richmond Park War Memorial will receive $10,000 towards restoration of two 32 pound muzzle loaded cannons and their timber carriages. The cannons form an integral part of the war memorial and its connection to the local community, veterans and the Richmond RAAF base.
Sutton Public School will receive funds to preserve its memorial gates, in particular the Second World War plaque which records the names of 19 local veterans who served.
Other successful projects include the restoration of the Attunga War Memorial Gates and protective works to the Bathurst War Memorial Carillon, one of only three carillons in Australia.
The successful applicants for the Anzac Community Grants Program have also been announced with more than $50,000 to assist with projects which support activities and services, or promote appreciation and understanding, of military service personnel.
Round 2 of the Community War Memorials Fund is now open and closes 25 April 2020.
For more information, go to: www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/heritage/community-war-memorials-fund