Category: NSW News

Seven schools across NSW have been upgraded benefitting more than 5,500 students, thanks to the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell visited Merrylands Public School today to inspect the school’s new $10 million facilities.
“It’s a great day for students and teachers at Merrylands Public School as 10 new classrooms open which will increase the school’s capacity to 600 students,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The NSW Government is committed to delivering the best education system in Australia, if not the world.”
Ms Mitchell said Merrylands Public School is one of 190 new and upgraded schools to be delivered over the next four years.
“This is the 31^st new or upgraded school to open in 2019 alone and we will continue to see a significant rollout of cutting edge schools and facilities over the next few years,” Ms Mitchell said.
“We want to ensure that every child, no matter where they are from, has access to a top quality education.”
The other school upgrades opening in term 4, 2019:

• Auburn North Public School – 10 new classrooms and new bathrooms
• Belmont High School – new special education classrooms with new amenities and a sensory garden
• Denistone East Public School – six new classrooms and a refurbished administration area
• Old Bar Public School – permanent two storey building with eight new classrooms
• Quakers Hill East Public School – 12 new classrooms and a new performance studio
• Rosehill Public School – 18 new classrooms and a new sports court.

The NSW Government is investing $6.7 billion over the next four years to deliver 190 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. In addition, a record $1.3 billion is being spent on school maintenance over five years. This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.

The NSW Government is urging the state’s almost one million carers to have their say on a new 10-year strategy that aims to better support them.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said the call to action comes as National Carers Week kicks off, which recognises the valuable contribution of carers across the country.
“Carers provide about 1.9 billion hours of essential care to loved ones across Australia each year,” Mr Ward said.
“Our Government is committed supporting that valuable work and wants to hear what’s working and what isn’t, so we can better support and care for NSW carers.”
Carers provide unpaid help to someone who needs support due to disability, mental illness, dementia, frail age or chronic illness.
Businesses play a major role in supporting carers in the workplace through the Carers + Employers program, which assists employers with how to accommodate staff who have caring responsibilities.
“One in eight employees is an unpaid carer, which is a much larger cohort in our community than people might think” Mr Ward said.
“Flexible, carer-friendly workplaces help staff balance the caring responsibilities with paid employment and that’s absolutely critical to ensure long-term support.
“The University of Technology and the Department of Communities and Justice are leading the way and have gained accreditation under this new program.”
The NSW Government is investing $4.9 million in 2019-20 to support carers. This includes the Carers Investment Program, which funds innovative, evidence-based projects to support carers.
The Ageing and Disability Commissioner is also assisting those who are cared for, by protecting vulnerable people from abuse, neglect and exploitation.
For more information, visit www.facs.nsw.gov.au/inclusion/carers/nsw-carers-strategy

The NSW Government has today welcomed the Independent Planning Commission’s decision to allow Rix’s Creek South Mine to continue operating through to 2040, securing almost 300 jobs in the Upper Hunter.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the decision is great news for the local community, and is the sixth mining approval in six months.
“Mining plays a significant role in the NSW economy as a driver of jobs and investment, particularly in our regional communities,” Mr Stokes said.
“In just six months, we have approved six mining applications, which has provided almost 2,000 jobs and generated more than $1 billion in investment across NSW.
“While last week’s procedural delay was frustrating, today’s decision is great news for the people of the Upper Hunter and the community of Singleton given the significant contribution mining makes to their local economy.
“We know our regions are doing it tough in the drought and the continuation of the Rix’s Creek South Mine will secure almost 300 jobs for the community.”
There was overwhelming public support for the continuation of the mine, with more than 900 supportive submissions made to the IPC.
In its decision, the IPC determined that the economic and social benefits for the local community and people of NSW, outweighed potential environmental impacts.

Sydney’s new twin metro railway tunnels are now 70 per cent complete as tunnelling reaches the heart of the city deep under Martin Place, with work under the CBD about to head to Barangaroo.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Transport Minister Andrew Constance joined workers 28 metres under Sydney to welcome Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Nancy to the new Martin Place Station.
“This historic milestone means 22 kilometres of the Sydney Metro tunnels are now finished in just 11 months – that’s 70 per cent of the new tunnels on Australia’s biggest public transport project,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“While people are getting on with life in the city above, deep underneath the CBD giant machines like TBM Nancy are getting on with the job, building tunnels for our future metro rail.”
Since launching in October 2018, TBM Nancy has tunnelled 6.8 kilometres via the new metro stations at Waterloo, Central and Pitt Street.
Mr Constance said TBM Nancy will spend a few weeks undergoing maintenance before being re-launched to complete the last 1.3 kilometre section between Martin Place and Barangaroo.
“This tunnelling is pivotal to a well-connected public transport system here at Martin Place, where customers will be able to transfer between the new metro and the Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra line,” Mr Constance said.
“Deep under city streets and buildings, this historic new metro line will not only increase the capacity of our rail network but make it easier to get around.”
It has taken about 21 months to build the caverns for the new Martin Place Station ahead of TBM Nancy’s arrival, removing about 198,000 tonnes of rock – enough to fill about 30 Olympic swimming pools.

More than 550 former rough sleepers have been housed in safe and stable accommodation across the state thanks to the NSW Government’s expansion assertive outreach services.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said World Homeless Day is an opportunity to highlight the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government’s nation-leading work in line with its ambitious homelessness targets.
“Our Government is not only putting a roof over the heads of vulnerable people, but helping them on a pathway to independence,” Mr Ward said.
“The Premier’s Priority, aligned with the global Vanguard Agreement, aims to halve street sleeping across NSW by 2025.
“We have taken some significant steps towards achieving that target, but we know there is much more to do and we’re committed to building on the strong foundations we have set.”
New outreach services in Tweed Heads and Newcastle are underway in collaboration with the non-government sector, building on the success of the program in Sydney.
“More than 90 per cent of people that we have housed in Sydney have sustained their tenancies and are turning their lives around,” Mr Ward said.
“By providing housing and wrap around support services for people at risk of homelessness, we are helping them break the cycle.”
Trial street counts have recently been conducted in regional areas ahead of the first comprehensive, coordinated statewide count planned for early next year.
The NSW Government is investing $1 billion to support people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, including women and children experiencing domestic and family violence, Aboriginal people, young people and rough sleepers.

Visitation to NSW is at a record high with international and domestic tourists streaming to Sydney and the regions, latest data shows.
Latest Tourism Research Australia figures released today show NSW remains Australia’s number one destination for visitors from home and abroad, with steady increases in the number of visitors, visitor nights and visitor related expenditure generated for the State.
In the year ending June 2019, NSW received 37.2 million domestic overnight visitors and 4.4 million international visitors – the highest volume ever from both markets.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the NSW Government, through tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, was making solid progress on the 2030 visitor economy target.
“These latest surveys show unprecedented growth for NSW, with domestic overnight visitors spending $22.6 billion in the state – an increase of 13 per cent year on year,” Minister Ayres said.
“International visitors also contribute significantly to the NSW economy with $11.3 billion generated through overseas traveler spend, which is up eight per cent.
“There have been significant gains in the high-yield markets of the United States and Japan which is the result of fantastic airline partnerships and trade initiatives in these countries. NSW welcomed 522,000 US visitors in the year ending June 2019 who generated $853 million in tourism spend (up 18 per cent) and 205,000 Japanese visitors who generated $402 million for the State.”
Japan has now surpassed Korea in the State’s top five source markets, joining China, US, New Zealand and United Kingdom.
On the home front, New South Wales leads Victoria and Queensland in attracting domestic overnight visitors, visitor nights and tourism related expenditure.
“In the latest survey NSW has reached its highest ever lead over Victoria and Queensland in terms of domestic overnight expenditure, proving that Australians love the Harbour City and the many unique experiences and landscapes of regional NSW,” Minister Ayres said.
NSW achieved its highest growth in domestic visitor nights on record, with 37.2 million visitors staying 116.1 million nights – 11 per cent more than the previous year.
Regional NSW specifically welcomed almost 27 million international and domestic overnight visitors.

Fraud fighting measures, graffiti-busting art projects and twilight sports to help young people kick life goals are just some of the initiatives funded from the latest round of the NSW Government’s $10 million crime prevention grants program.
Attorney General Mark Speakman and Police Minister David Elliott today announced six new projects worth almost $300,000 designed to drive down crime.
“The Government’s crime prevention grants inspire local councils in NSW to think outside the box and deliver innovative ideas to tackle problems like graffiti, theft and assaults,” Mr Speakman said.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe in and around their home and this program is all about empowering local communities to help tackle the issues they face.”
Mr Elliott said a one-size-fits-all approach isn’t always the best way to go and this approach draws on local, grassroots knowledge to build tailored projects.
“From Camden to Canterbury, we’re supporting practical projects to safeguard communities, including security bollards for crowd safety and better lighting to make people safer when they’re out and about at night,” Mr Elliott said.
“Police Area Commands also play a vital role, working closely with councils and residents to support these programs so locals feel more secure on their streets.”
The six local communities that have received grants are:

• $50,000 Northern Beaches Council – cut youth crime such as graffiti
• $32,000 Strathfield Council – improve street lighting at petty crime hot spots
• $48,000 Camden Council – install security bollards to protect public places
• $50,000 Fairfield City Council – teach older people and migrants about fraud
• $50,000 Canterbury-Bankstown Council – twilight youth sports program
• $50,000 City of Parramatta – improved street lighting in the CBD

More information about the grant program is available here.

More jobs and less waste will be the key outcomes of a new Circular Economy Innovation Network launched today by the NSW Government.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the Network, known as NSW Circular, will help boost manufacturing jobs in regional NSW as the State moves away from the traditional ‘take, make and dispose’ model.
“With China no longer accepting our recycled waste, our manufacturing industry must evolve. This is our chance to bring more jobs back to our own backyard, particularly in the Special Activation Precincts in regional NSW,” Mr Stokes said.
“This isn’t just the right thing to do for the environment; it makes good economic sense – there are significant jobs and growth opportunities for existing and new businesses across NSW.
“Three pilot projects are already underway through the Network that aim to create new supply chains, turn trash into valuable products and materials for manufacturing and divert waste from landfill.”
The Network, funded through the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer, brings together industry, government, local councils, researchers and the community, and will be led by Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla, Director of the Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) at UNSW Australia.
Environment Minister Matt Kean said NSW Circular will complement other important initiatives already in development, including the Government’s 20-Year Waste Strategy and Plastics Plan.
“There is a lot of activity in this space, but to date it has lacked a degree of coordination and connectivity,” Mr Kean said.
“This new network will help us develop the programs we need to increase recycling and create a circular economy.”

People with disability who come into contact with the justice system will be better supported back into the community under a landmark agreement struck at the COAG Disability Reform Council today.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said the decision to introduce Justice Liaison Officers (JLOs) will contribute to achieving the Premier’s priority of reducing recidivism in the prison population.
“We know that a significant number of offenders in both adult prison and juvenile detention have disabilities and don’t necessarily get the support they need when exiting the justice system,” Mr Ward said.
“As part of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, JLOs will provide a coordinated approach to supporting people with disability, to help them transition to a life free of crime.”
An interstate working group will produce an implementation plan for the roll out and report to the Council in December. At today’s meeting the Council also agreed to:

• Improve the Information, Linkage and Capability Building (ILC) component of the NDIS to better target all people with disability, their families and carers
• Develop an approach to improve the access and experience for participants with psychosocial disability in the NDIS
• Continue work to provide greater transparency and accountability around how the NSW Government’s contribution to the NDIS is spent

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will continue to lead national reform when it comes to the disability sector,” Mr Ward said.
“As a partner with the Commonwealth, we are committed to helping improve the NDIS so it delivered great outcomes for people across our state.”
The NSW Government contributed $3.3 billion to the NDIS in the 2019-20 NSW Budget.
More than 100,000 people are benefitting from the scheme across the state. Close to 40,000 of them are receiving services for the first time.

Tram testing is ramping up in the CBD – and will soon begin for the first time in Kingsford and Kensington – as Sydney counts down for the commencement of commuter services in December.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Minister for Transport Andrew Constance, NSW Police and the NRMA today reminded road users to be alert around the new light rail corridor as testing steps up.
“As we get ready for services to start in December, Sydneysiders will see more trams every day. Driver training extends into the CBD this week and there will be up to 12 trams out testing day and night, seven days a week,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“I’m also pleased to confirm that trams will soon start testing in Kingsford and Kensington.
“It’s an exciting time for Sydney as the countdown begins to the first passenger services from Randwick to Circular Quay, but it’s also a timely reminder for pedestrians and drivers to be vigilant.”
Mr Constance said new safety videos, launched today by Transport for NSW, will remind drivers to be aware around the light rail as part of the “Heads Up, Play It Safe around Light Rail” campaign.
“We have a number of busy intersections along the light rail route, particularly in the CBD, such as George and Bathurst streets. We remind drivers not to queue across these intersections and always follow traffic signals,” Mr Constance said.
Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians have mistakenly entered the tram corridor at busy intersections, including those around Pitt Street and Eddy Avenue at Central, and at Devonshire and Bourke streets in Surry Hills.
“We know people are getting used to having trams around, but we really need everyone to be mindful of the tram corridor when turning at intersections, and if you end up on the tracks, drive or ride carefully to the next cross street and exit safety,” Mr Constance said.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy reminded drivers they must stay off the cement tram corridor and stick to the asphalt roads.
“Drivers and operators of heavy vehicles must follow the new traffic signals and always stop on the red. Never turn in front of a tram and do not queue across intersections. Food delivery operators and couriers are also reminded to not ride in the tram corridor,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
“The message for all road users is the same; ditch the distraction, follow the road rules and pay attention.”
NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said pedestrians also need to change their behaviour.
“The NRMA report released in July, Look Up, found over one third of pedestrians crossed busy intersections while distracted by their smartphones or wearing earphones,” Mr Khoury said.
“Taking this sort of risk around the new Light Rail can have devastating consequences. Trams are quiet and too many pedestrians have yet to adjust their behavior around this new mode of transport in the heart of Sydney – this needs to change now.”