Category: NSW News

The NSW Government will fast-track delivery of the State’s first technology-focused TAFE NSW campus by 12 months with thousands of students expected to benefit.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said the NSW Government is investing in a world-class education precinct at Meadowbank.
“I am proud to announce the delivery of the new digital technology hub at TAFE NSW Meadowbank will be accelerated by 12 months to match the construction schedule of the two new schools,” Mr Lee said. “This means a new primary school, a new high school and new TAFE NSW facilities will all be delivered at the same time.”
Mr Lee said technology was at the forefront of the revitalised TAFE site, transforming training delivery to be more digitally interactive and industry focussed.
“The new industry standard training facilities will enhance the capacity of TAFE NSW to deliver technology-focussed, specialist training in emerging ICT areas such as cyber-security.
“The new state-of-the-art facilities will equip students with the job-ready skills employers are calling for – with industry collaboration and a digital focus embedded into the design.”
Member for Ryde Victor Dominello said fast-tracking the project and aligning construction timelines was great news for the Ryde community.
“Australia’s Silicon Valley is in our own backyard so it makes sense to have a technology focused TAFE in Meadowbank,” Mr Dominello said.
“Ryde is being transformed into an education and employment powerhouse and this new TAFE will prepare students for the jobs of the future.”
TAFE NSW will lodge a State Significant Development Application for the Multi-Trades and Digital Technology Hub in mid-October following consultation. The new TAFE NSW facilities are scheduled to be open alongside the school in 2022.

Minister for Energy Matt Kean has today announced the next stage in the $75 million NSW Emerging Energy Program, which encourages private sector investment in cutting edge large-scale electricity and storage projects through feasibility and capital grants.
Feasibility grants worth a total of $7.1 million have been awarded to 10 electricity projects to help get them shovel ready so that we can meet the States future energy needs. These projects are spread across seven locations in NSW, including Broken Hill, Yass and Armidale.
21 projects have also been shortlisted to receive capital funding to assist with the construction of on-demand electricity. The shortlisted projects include over 700 megawatts of on-demand electricity capacity across six technologies, including pumped hydro, gas, biogas, solar thermal, virtual power plants and batteries. The successful recipients will be announced in the first half of 2020.
“The NSW Government is committed to delivering affordable, reliable and cleaner power for NSW. The Emerging Energy Program does just that,” Mr Kean said.
“AEMO’s latest report identified that NSW is well placed to handle the summers up until Liddell’s retirement in 2023 but we’re planning for the future, looking at how we can harness tomorrow’s technology today by encouraging private capital to build the 21st century grid,” Mr Kean said.
“These projects will help show the way for new technology, making it easier for other projects to come online, increase competition and put downward pressure on prices,” Mr Kean said.
“The transformation of our electricity system is going to drive an energy construction boom, as the projects awarded feasibility grants could see almost $2 billion in private investment,” Mr Kean said.
Successful applicants can work with the Clean Energy Finance Corporation for finance through its Dispatchable Power Program.
For more information about the Emerging Energy Program visit: energy.nsw.gov.au/emerging-energy

The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is investing more than $81 million into 30 projects across 21 councils in regional NSW to improve water quality and security.
The Safe and Secure water security projects include the installation of an artesian bore, the construction of an off-stream water storage facility, and improving or constructing sewage treatment plants and reservoirs.
Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said NSW communities depend on access to clean water, and wastewater infrastructure that meets environmental and health standards.
“This drought is outside the history books, while we continue to invest in emergency water infrastructure we must ensure we are maintaining our regional water infrastructure and investing in the future of our communities,” Mrs Pavey said.
“The Program prioritises key water infrastructure projects – from local drought backup systems through to new or upgraded dams to secure water supplies for our regional communities.
“The NSW Government will continue to work with local councils to provide water infrastructure that improves the lives of over 1.9 million people living in more than 500 regional NSW communities.”
While local councils are the water utility provider for their communities, the State Government will continue to help them where we can in getting through this difficult time.
The Safe and Secure Water Program is a $1 billion regional infrastructure co-funding program established in 2017 under the NSW Government’s Restart NSW Fund.
Since the establishment of the Safe & Secure Water Program in June 2017, the NSW Government has committed more than $680 million to 111 projects.
More information about the Safe and Secure Water Program is available here.

A new 2.5 hectare park at Powells Creek has opened today, transforming an unused corridor in Sydney’s west into a new recreation and green space for the local community.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said Ismay Reserve, located next to the New M4 just north of Parramatta Road to Pomeroy Street at Homebush, is another example of the NSW Government’s commitment to creating new green open spaces.
“This is the first new park to open as part of the WestConnex Legacy project and unlocks a previously inaccessible area for the local community that will be enjoyed for many years to come,” Mr Stokes said.
“Almost 6,000 homes are within 10 minutes’ walk of this fantastic new park, which has something for everyone, including a children’s playground, barbeque facilities, ping pong tables, exercise stations and even a futsal court.
“There’s also a new shared pedestrian and cycle path between Parramatta Road and Pomeroy Street that connects to Sydney Olympic Park to make it easier for people to get outside and enjoy the outdoors.”
WestConnex worked closely with Strathfield Council and the Greater Sydney Commission to create Ismay Reserve, which is located on the site of a former brick pit.
About 160 trees have also been planted in the new park, with another 5,500 trees to be added to the local tree canopy as part of the New M4 project.
More green space will be delivered through WestConnex than any other urban road project in Australia’s history, with more than 18 hectares of new open space to be created in Sydney’s inner west

A new NSW Government pilot program will mean it’s easier for small businesses to win work from their local council – boosting local economies and communities.
The Local Procurement pilot program – part of the NSW Government’s Making Business Easier offering – aims to increase direct contact between small businesses and councils by cutting red tape and simplifying the tender process.
Minister for Small Business Damien Tudehope said the six month pilot would enable small businesses to operate on a more level playing field when securing contracts with their local council.
“NSW Councils spend significant funds on goods and services each year but many small businesses couldn’t compete with larger competitors for contracts.
“A toolkit has been developed to help small businesses win council contracts, while providing tips to local councils on how they can become more small business friendly.
“This is a great opportunity for local businesses to tender for local government work and boost local economies,” Mr Tudehope said.
In June, the NSW Government changed the Local Government Act 1993 to increase the threshold for tenders from $150,000 to $250,000, which will provide more opportunities for councils to engage businesses directly without a tender process.
Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said the Local Procurement pilot was a great example of how state and local governments were working together to help small businesses reach their full potential.
“Several councils including Georges River Council, Eurobodalla Shire Council, Campbelltown City Council and Central Coast Council have already expressed interest in the program.
“I encourage all NSW local councils to get involved in this fantastic program and see more of their contracts secured by their local small businesses,” Mrs Hancock said.
For more information go to www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au/local-procurement

The NSW Government is investing $13 million over the next four years to continue their ‘Cap & Pipe the Bores Program’ in the Great Artesian Basin, work that has seen water pressure in the area increase for the first time in decades.
Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said the program spans across 4.2 million hectares, an area roughly the size of the land between Sydney and Cowra, and is currently saving 76 gigalitres of water per year.
“In 20 years we have saved 1,100 gigalitres of water from this program, or the equivalent of two Sydney Harbours,” Mrs Pavey said.
“Bore water is essential for many farms and towns, helping to reduce demand on our drought-ravaged rivers and supporting a population of over 200,000 people.
“Before the program began, the Great Artesian Basin was being tapped by 1,400 bores, many of them decades old, with around 95 per cent of the water lost through evaporation. This significantly reduced water pressure across the Basin, resulting in many bores ceasing to flow.”
Under the NSW ‘Cap and Pipe the Bores Program’ leaky bores are being fixed, open collection ponds are replaced with storage tanks, open water channels replaced with pipes, and disused bores are being capped and closed.
“Since the program’s inception, 18,000km of piping has been installed, enough to go from Sydney to Perth and back again – twice, and 10,000km of bore drains removed, which is enough to go half way along the Great Wall of China,” Mrs Pavey said.
“The NSW Government is investing a further $13 million to continue this important work and ensuring only the water needed is being drawn from the basin, safeguarding the long term sustainability of the Great Artesian Basin.”
The ongoing, long-term benefits of the program include:

• Increased resilience of pastoral enterprises to drought and climate change;
• Partnerships between landholders, government, industry and communities;
• Investment, employment and opportunities for economic growth in rural communities;
• Enhanced productivity of pastoral industries;
• Improved water quality for stock and domestic use;
• Improved sustainability, security and management of Basin water;
• Increased water pressure in the Basin;
• Support for endangered species at Basin springs.

Further detail on the NSW ‘Cap and Pipe the Bores Program’ can be found at: https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/water/basins-catchments/gab/cap-pipe-the-bore

More than 8.7 million customers have travelled on the country’s busiest bus route, in just 12 months, and from today they can pay with their card or device of choice.
The Bondi Link service is celebrating its first birthday, on the same day contactless technology was switched on across the entire Opal network.
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said the achievement marks a significant milestone in this Australian first transport innovation.
“The Bondi Link service has carried more customers than the state’s population in its first year of operation, an average of 22,000 a day.
“The great news is those customers now have the ease of tapping on with a whole range of options, including debit and credit cards,” Mr Constance said.
Member for Vaucluse Gabrielle Upton said the turn up and go bus model proved a big hit.
“My community wanted a better bus service and our Government has delivered it through Bondi Link, which has made more than 124,000 trips in 12 months,” Ms Upton said.
State Transit CEO Steffen Faurby said he was proud the government-owned bus operator could deliver improved services for customers in the eastern suburbs.
“Bondi Link has clocked up around 1.3 million in-service kilometres on daily travels from Bondi Beach to Circular Quay. To put that distance into perspective, the fleet has gone around earth’s circumference more than 32 times.”
Buses today joined trains, ferries, light rail and Metro in allowing customers to tap on and off with their credit card, debit card or linked device – like a smartphone.
“This achievement marks the final piece of the contactless payments puzzle,” Mr Constance said.
Customers using this payment method can access all the same fare benefits of an Adult Opal card, including the weekly travel reward and transfer discount.
American Express, Mastercard and Visa are accepted and customers can tap on and off using mobile wallets on smartphones, tablets and wearable devices linked to these cards.

First homebuyers have saved more than a billion dollars in stamp duty thanks to the NSW Government’s Housing Affordability Strategy which was introduced in July 2017.
More than 67,800 homebuyers having now taken advantage of the opportunity to save up to $24,740 in stamp duty when purchasing their first home.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the NSW Government was delivering on its promise to make it easier for people to own a home.
“I made it a priority to help first homebuyers get the keys to their first home and today’s figures show we are doing just that,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Our reforms are taking the pressure off people trying to get ahead and as a Government we will never lose sight of the fact that behind every number is a person who now has a place to call home.”
The share of first homebuyers entering the NSW property market has increased from 17.3 per cent in July 2017 to 27.5 per cent in July this year, according to ABS lending data.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said he was delighted to see the increase in first homebuyers, many of whom also benefitted from the NSW Government’s $10,000 First Home Owner Grant.
“For most people a home is the biggest investment they will ever make, and we are determined to give as many people as possible the opportunity to make the great Australian dream a reality,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The stamp duty concession combined with the First Home Owner Grant can save buyers more than $32,000, which is significant when making a property purchase.”
The scheme eliminates stamp duty for first homebuyers purchasing a new or existing property valued up to $650,000 and provides stamp duty savings for purchases of homes valued between $650,000 and $800,000.
The First Home Owner Grant of up to $10,000 is available for new housing constructions valued up to $600,000, or for land and a new construction you intend to build valued up to $750,000.
Finance Minister Damien Tudehope said the initiatives were proving extremely popular.
“We are seeing a lot more first homebuyers getting the keys to their first home reflecting the success of this program,” Mr Tudehope said.
Recent figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Lending to Households and Businesses report show lending to first homebuyers had the biggest increase of all lending categories, with a six per cent jump in July.
First homebuyers can learn more on the Revenue NSW https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/.

The world’s first mobile phone detection camera program will be rolled out in NSW by the end of the year.
Minister for Roads Andrew Constance and Minister for Regional Roads Paul Toole said the cameras will crack down on drivers illegally using their mobile phones.
During the Government’s recent six month pilot, the safety technology provided by tech company Acusensus checked 8.5 million vehicles and found more than 100,000 drivers using their phones illegally.
“Unfortunately some people haven’t received the message and think they can continue to put the safety of themselves, their passengers and the community at risk without consequence,” Mr Constance said.
“There is strong community support for more enforcement to stop illegal mobile phone use with 80 per cent of people we surveyed supporting use of the mobile phone detection cameras.”
The program will operate in warning letter mode for the first three months to reinforce the ‘get your hand off it’ message. If you offend after that, you’ll cop a $344 fine and five demerit points.
“The decision to pick up your phone can have fatal consequences. It doesn’t matter whether you’re driving on a busy city motorway or on an isolated road in the bush – there’s just no excuse for using your phone illegally,” Mr Toole said.
“Independent modelling has shown that these cameras could prevent around 100 fatal and serious injury crashes over five years.”
Managing Director of Acusensus Alexander Jannink lost a friend in an accident caused by a distracted and impaired driver.
“We are committed to supporting the NSW Government’s pioneering initiative to reduce the significant loss and trauma caused by illegal phone use on the road network,” Mr Jannink said.
“We know from the success of the pilot and other enforcement technology programs that the deployment of the Acusensus Heads-Up solution will drive behavioural change and improve the safety of road users.”
Road safety advocate Vicki Richardson founded the ‘Don’t-txt-n-drive’ foundation to raise awareness of driver distraction after her daughter Brooke lost her life at age 20 in a crash caused by using her phone while driving.
“Brooke was driving to work and she decided to text a client. That was the last decision she ever made. Working Towards Zero is very important to me,” Ms Richardson said.
NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, said more than 16,500 people had been caught using a mobile phone while driving so far this year.
“When you drive while using a phone, your attention is not on the road, on other cars, pedestrians, or on other dangers and it poses a risk to everyone who uses the road,” Mr Corboy said.
“There is simply no excuse for it.”
The mobile phone detection camera program will be supported by a comprehensive road safety campaign including online information and public education.
The program will start later this year and progressively expand to perform 135 million vehicle checks annually by 2023.
The program will include fixed cameras and relocatable trailer-mounted versions of the technology. The transportable cameras will move across a network of locations statewide, targeting illegal mobile phone use anywhere, anytime.
The Privacy Commissioner has been involved in ongoing consultation during the pilot regarding the privacy protection measures incorporated into the program.

Visitor numbers to the new Sydney Fish Market are set to more than double to over five million a year, cementing the markets as one of Australia’s leading tourist attractions, and also as a driver of job creation and reinvigoration of the Pyrmont area.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian, and Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes, today announced Government approval of a $750 million investment in the project.
“One in five international tourists to Sydney visit the existing Fish Markets and it’s the second-most visited attraction in Sydney behind the Opera House,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“In addition to the clear benefits for Pyrmont, the new market will be a boon for regional communities as a showcase for the very best seafood from along the NSW coast.”
The building was designed by Danish architects 3XN, in association with Sydney based BVN and Aspect Studios to meet the unique needs of market operations, and represents a substantial step beyond an indicative concept launched in 2016.
The building will have a 6-star green star rating, including advanced water efficiency to cut use of the precious resource by half, and solar electricity generation.
Mr Stokes said the project will include public promenades, a ferry wharf and more than 30,000 square metres of new public open space across the precinct for the community.
“Relocating the fish market to the head of Blackwattle Bay will improve pedestrian and cycling links and connect more of Glebe and Pyrmont to the water as part of the long-awaited revitalisation of the area,” Mr Stokes said.
Two State Significant Development Applications, one for the demolition of the existing wharves and site preparation, the other for main works including the construction of the new fish market facility, will soon be placed on public exhibition.
A two-stage procurement process for demolition and construction will also commence shortly. Subject to planning approval and award of a contract, early works will begin in late-2020 and the new Sydney Fish Market will open for operations in 2024.

Master-planning for the current fish market site will be subject to community consultation which will commence once the Greater Sydney Commission’s Pyrmont Planning Review is complete.