Category: NSW News

Frontline officers working in Corrective Services NSW are being rolled out with new cutting-edge body-worn camera technology to improve officer safety and operational transparency.
Minister for Counter Terrorism and Corrections Anthony Roberts said Immediate Action Teams across the State have begun to use the cameras.
“Our Corrections Officers do a great job under challenging circumstances so it’s vital we provide them with the latest technology to enable them to do that job safely and effectively,” Mr Roberts said.
“Our Immediate Action Teams are the first responders to critical incidents in the correctional environment. This technology will allow them to respond to situations quickly and confidently.”
Officers will primarily use the technology to gather audio and visual evidence in the event of an officer assault, use of force or contraband raid.
The camera is attached to the front of an officer’s uniform in stand-by mode until the officer activates the camera’s record function. Once activated, the camera retains the 30 seconds of video prior to activation and continues recording.
Corrective Services NSW Commissioner Peter Severin said the use of body-worn cameras can help de-escalate incidents and resolve investigations more swiftly.
“These body-worn cameras enable our officers to record high-quality digital video evidence of a contraband raid or use of force with the press of a button,” Mr Severin said.
“Offenders will be on notice. If they try to assault, intimidate or threaten harm to an officer with a body-worn camera, it will be recorded. Our aim is to not only ensure the appropriate documentation of uses of force, but to provide greater protection and assurance to staff.”
The roll-out follows a nine-month trial of body-worn camera technology at several maximum-security centres.

Water restrictions in Greater Sydney are expected to be relaxed to Level 1 on the 1^st of March as Sydney Dam levels reach 80 per cent following recent rainfall.
Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said Level 2 water restrictions will remain in place for two more weeks to reduce the demand on the water supply network and ensure water quality remains high.
“We recently experienced the biggest rain event in 20 years, which has impacted the quality of raw water in Greater Sydney’s bushfire affected catchment,” Mrs Pavey said.
“A number of initiatives are in place to ensure the water is safe for use, including extensive testing, filtration and nets to catch debris, but we are allowing an extra two weeks purely as a precautionary measure.”
“It will also give the system time to recover and on the 1^st of March we expect Greater Sydney will revert back to Level 1 water restrictions, subject to water quality assessment by Water NSW and Sydney Water.”
Under Level 1 water restrictions, residents and businesses are not able to leave hoses running unattended, wash vehicles and buildings with a hose that isn’t fitted with a trigger nozzle, or use standard sprinklers and watering systems at any time.
Mrs Pavey acknowledged people have been patient and applauded their efforts to reduce the amount of water being used annually – from 200L per person per day in 2017, to 180L today.
“Despite a 26 per cent increase in population, the total demand for drinking water remains lower than it did before mandatory restrictions were introduced in late 2003,” Mrs Pavey said.
Fines will still apply for breaches of water restrictions – $220 for residential breaches and $550 for businesses. Exemptions will be available for non-residential customers with outdoor water use as their core business.
For a full list of requirements for Level 1 and 2 water restrictions visit: lovewater.sydney

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.