Category: NSW News

The removal of the first dam on Toorale National Park to enhance flows down the Warrego River and into the Darling has been completed.
Environment Minister Matt Kean said the removal of Peebles Dam would have an immediate impact on the next flow.
“This work should have been completed a decade ago. I’ve heard the community’s concerns about the time it’s taken to deliver this project and I am glad it was done in time for yesterday’s rain,” Mr Kean said.
“The removal of the Dam was Phase One in improving the connection of flows down the Warrego River into the Darling River.
“This project will assist in ensuring water, our most precious resource, remains in the river system and is not held in unnecessary infrastructure, a legacy from Toorale’s days gone by.
“As promised in recent stakeholder meetings the works were commenced in October and completed ahead of schedule.”
Phase Two will begin in 2020 and includes the modification of the remaining structures on Toorale to further increase flows passing down the Warrego.
The overall project will see enhanced river flows, while maintaining the important cultural and environmental values of the Toorale National Park.
“Phase Two will also include works to improve the ability for fish to pass by the structures still in place up and down the river,” Mr Kean said.
This work is funded by the Commonwealth Government and will assist in managing the environmental water the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder holds in this region.

Projects promoting life skills, positive mental health initiatives and employment outcomes are among successful recipients of the NSW Government’s $1.5 million Youth Opportunities program.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said 36 innovative projects driven by young people would receive up to $50,000 each.
“We’re committed to engaging young people by providing positive opportunities that help them improve their wellbeing and thrive into adulthood,” Mr Ward said.
“These grants are the perfect platform to promote valuable and innovative ideas and I’m pleased to see so many outstanding projects receive Youth Opportunities funding.”
The 36 organisations funded under the program cover all corners of NSW, with projects encompassing areas of education, arts, culture and health.
Among them is a short film festival to highlight the voices of young people in Gymea and a statewide campaign to raise awareness about hearing health and deafness.
Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women Bronnie Taylor said more than half of the successful projects stem from regional and rural NSW.
“Youth are the lifeblood of regional communities across our state and we want to give them every opportunity to showcase what they’ve got to offer,” Ms Taylor said.
“These grants will see some exciting initiatives come to fruition and provide vital funds for others that have proven successful.”
Since the NSW Government established the Youth Opportunities program in 2012, almost $12 million has been invested in more than 280 projects.
For information about successful projects, visit www.youth.nsw.au/youth-opportunities

Netballers from all over the state will be descending on Wagga Wagga next year with the town set to host the 2020 BING LEE Masters State Titles and Netball NSW Social Masters on the same weekend in October.
Like in 2019, both events will run concurrently and be held at the Wagga Wagga Netball Association on Saturday and Sunday, 17-18 October. Games will also take place in the Wagga Wagga Indoor Stadium.
After Netball NSW successfully took both the Masters State Titles and Social Masters to Tamworth last month, the organisation is excited to take them regional again in 2020.
“It is very important that we take these competitions to different parts of the state as we have huge numbers in every region,” Competitions Manager Claire Dale said.
“We had a brilliant weekend when we headed north of Sydney to Tamworth this year, and we can’t wait to head south to Wagga Wagga in 2020.
“Like Tamworth, Wagga Wagga has fantastic indoor and outdoor facilities which can accommodate everyone, from those looking to play in a competitive environment, to those just looking for some social fun.
“We look forward to working with the Wagga Wagga Netball Association over the next year in the run-up to what promises to be a fantastic two-day festival of netball.
“I strongly encourage all Associations to mark this date on their calendars for next year and come and make a weekend of it in a beautiful part of NSW.”
Formerly known as the State Championships – Masters, the Masters State Titles will have Association Representative Teams competing.
The Social Masters, meanwhile, is all about getting together with friends for some fun, good times, and a little bit of netball.
Netball NSW would like to thank BING LEE for their support of the Masters State Titles and their continued support of netball at all levels across the state.

NSW drivers can now use a Digital Driver’s Licence (DDL) on their smartphone for proof of identity, proof of age and at roadside police checks.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello announced the statewide rollout today at Norths Cammeray, following successful trials in Dubbo, Albury and Sydney’s Eastern Beaches.
“We’ve always put the customer at the heart of everything we do. Opal card and Service NSW have revolutionised the customer experience. The Digital Driver’s Licence is the latest way we are making life easier for the people of this state,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“More than 550,000 people have already downloaded the digital licence, with 97 per cent giving it the thumbs up. In the suburb of Blacktown alone, 4,733 people have chosen to go digital.”
The Digital Driver’s Licence has inbuilt security controls to protect customer’s personal information.
“The DDL is hosted securely on the new Service NSW app, locks with a PIN and can be accessed offline. It will provide additional levels of security and protection against identity fraud, compared to the plastic driver licence,” Mr Dominello said.
“We are working closely with business and industry to have them come on board and accept the DDL. This includes nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, petrol stations, supermarkets, convenience stores and tobacco retailers. Watch this space.”
Drivers who opt-in are encouraged to carry their plastic licence in the initial stages.
For more information about how to recognise and accept the DDL visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/digital-driver-licence
To get a DDL, licence holders will need to create a MyServiceNSW Account at www.service.nsw.gov.au and download the Service NSW mobile app on their smartphone. The DDL will always be opt-in only.

FIRST CASH TO FLOW TO HELP FIX LOCAL ROADS
The first round of the $500 million Fixing Local Roads program is now open and will close on 2 December 2019. Successful applications will be announced from February 2020.
Funding was available to councils to repair, maintain or seal local roads in a bid to help reduce the backlog.
The funding is a key election commitment and removes the need for local roads in regional NSW to meet a benefit cost ratio to receive funding.
Projects will need to be delivered within two years of receiving funding, to ensure that local communities are benefiting sooner.
GIVE THE BEST GIFT THIS CHRISTMAS AND #BUYREGIONAL
Sydneysiders keen to help drought-stricken towns can easily buy Christmas presents and produce direct from regional retailers, with the help of a new NSW Government campaign that connects city shoppers with rural sellers.
Buy Regional is an online hub that showcases regional shops and sellers together in one place, to make it easy for shoppers to find the perfect Christmas gift and support regional NSW.
The Buy Regional for Christmas hub is at: www.nsw.gov.au/buyregional.
CUTTING COSTS FOR NSW DRIVERS
Groundbreaking new rules will give the NSW Government the power to claw back excessive insurer profits from Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance and return the money to motorists through cheaper Green Slips. The new rules are already applicable.
Insurer profits will be capped at 10 per cent by the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA), keeping costs to motorists down while also encouraging the industry to be more innovative.
Based on current premiums, for every one per cent of excess profit recovered from insurers, more than $15 million will be returned to NSW vehicle owners through lower Green Slip prices.
VOCATIONAL TRAINEESHIPS TO BE FEE FREE FROM JANUARY 2020
The NSW Government has launched a new $54.3 million NSW Government Budget initiative to make government-subsidised traineeships fee-free.
Traineeships, through the NSW Smart and Skilled vocational education and training (VET) system, will join apprenticeships in being fee free from 1 January 2020.
This means the NSW Government would be picking up the tab for the fees on all new traineeships, including school-based traineeships.
ENSURING THE FUTURE OF RELIABLE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY FOR NSW
The Commonwealth and New South Wales Governments are delivering reliable and affordable energy, making the New South Wales-Queensland Interconnector (QNI) happen.
Both Governments will jointly underwrite up to $102 million of the QNI upgrade to ensure the security of electricity in NSW.
This will allow TransGrid, the network transmission service provider for NSW, to fast track critical early works for QNI ahead of the final regulatory determination of the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).
SYDNEY’S SOUTH ON THE MOVE WITH THE NEW M6
Connecting one of the missing links in Sydney’s motorway network is a step closer to delivering benefits to the residents and businesses of Sydney’s south and the Illawarra.
Companies vying to build the underground motorway from Arncliffe to Kogarah, now known as M6 Stage 1, can now express their interest in a project expected to create 5,300 jobs throughout its life.
It is expected that a contract will be awarded in December 2020, construction will begin by early 2022 and open to motorists by the end of 2025.
TOUGH NEW LAWS ON ILLEGAL FIREARM MANUFACTURING
The NSW Government will introduce laws to crack down on illegal firearm manufacturers, including those who supply the firearm parts or allow their premises to be used to manufacture weapons.
The new offences will apply to anyone who ‘takes part’ in the illegal manufacture of firearms, similar to laws in place for taking part in the supply or manufacture of illicit drugs.
It will also ensure the maximum penalty for illegal manufacturing will be 20 years. The legislation would not apply to law abiding firearm dealers or authorised commercial enterprises that are permitted to manufacture firearms.
The NSW Government will introduce a bill to Parliament early next year.
$1.2 MILLION SPORTS FUND TO TACKLE RURAL MENTAL HEALTH
NSW-based sporting bodies wanting to improve mental health and wellbeing in regional drought-stricken areas can apply for a share of a new $1.2 million Mental Health Sports Fund.
NSW sporting bodies can apply for funding to expand an existing program, team-up with a mental health service provider on a new program or support their local member clubs to run community wellbeing events.
For further information and how to apply please visit the Office of Sport NSW website: https://sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants/Mental-Health-Sports-Fund.

Coaching pioneer Margaret Corbett OAM was elevated to Legend Status in the Netball NSW Hall of Fame on a night of celebration at the organisation’s annual State Dinner at the Campbelltown Catholic Club on Saturday night.
The Sutherland Shire great, a leading coach in Australia across the 1970s, 80s, 90s and early 2000s, was the toast of the state’s netball community, becoming only the second-ever person to be elevated to Legend status, alongside former Diamonds captain Anne Sargeant OAM.
A forward thinker when it came to netball, Corbett brought nine National Opens Titles to NSW from 1984-1992. This was NSW’s dominance of the Dunlop Golden Boot era – the Suncorp Super Netball of the day – and Corbett’s feats remain unmatched in Australian netball history.
Guiding and instructing her teams at every turn, she pioneered the art of coaching and paved the way for many of the players to go on and represent Australia.
The night was also a successful one for GIANTS Netball defender Kristiana Manu’a who held off stern competition from her teammates and NSW Swifts rivals to win the Marilyn Melhuish OAM Medal after being voted NSW’s Suncorp Super Netball player of the year.
Her award was one of eight presented on a night which celebrated another fantastic year for netball across NSW.
“2019 is a year that will live long in the memory of everyone involved in the sport,” Netball NSW President Louise Sullivan said in her welcome.
“That it marked the 90th Anniversary of Netball NSW made the achievements all the more special.
“Whether it was the NSW Swifts, under former player turned coach Briony Akle, defying the odds to claim the Suncorp Super Netball title, or the thousands of young and not so young coming together for the rebranded HART Junior and Senior State Titles, netball was always front and centre of the sporting landscape.
“There were many successes beyond these of course; our NSW 17s and 19s brought back silver from the National Netball Championships in Brisbane, while the Netball NSW Waratahs also won sliver after a thrilling Australian Netball League campaign.
“The NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball brought over 40,000 netball fans through the gates of Qudos Bank Arena for four blockbuster Super Netball extravaganzas, including a whopping 11,269 for the Round 8 Indigenous Round, which doubled as the second NSW Derby of the year.
“With more than 1,200 new coaches teaching netball across New South Wales, to the almost 600 new National C umpires making sure it all happens within the rules, it is also fantastic to see growth at our most important level, the grassroots.
“As we reflect on the past nine decades, and the humble origins of our organisation, the phrase “from little seeds great trees grow” is certainly relevant.”
2019 Netball NSW Award Recipients
Anne Clark BEM Service Awards: Colette Longley (Manly Warringah Netball Association), Geraldine Evry (Illawarra District Netball Association), Judith Sibbald (Penrith District Netball Association), Megan Kocsis (Eastwood Ryde Netball Association), Jo-Anne Perry (Ku-ring-gai Netball Association)
Marilyn Melhuish OAM Medal – Suncorp Super Netball Player of the Year: Kristiana Manu’a (GIANTS Netball)
Marj Groves AM Scholarship: Annie Miller (Manly Warringah Netball Association)
Nance Kenny OAM Medal – Premier League Player of the Year: Maddie Taylor (Central Coast Heart)
Lynn Quinn OAM Bench Official Award: Helen Andrews (St George District Netball Association)
Neita Matthews OAM Umpires Award: Tayla Favell (Baulkham Hills Shire Netball Association)
Margaret Corbett OAM Coaches Award: Mardi Aplin (Orange Netball Association)
Judy Dunbar Media Awards: Isaac McIntyre – Hunter Women’s Chronicle (Community Media Excellence), Adrian Arciuli – SBS (Best Feature), Wolter Peeters – Sydney Morning Herald/Sun Herald (Best Photograph), Daniel Lane – Sydney Morning Herald/Sun Herald (Best Overall Media Coverage).
Dot McHugh OAM Administrator Award: Patricia Joy Gillett OAM (Penrith District Netball Association)
2019 Hall of Fame Inductions: Margaret Corbett OAM (Sutherland Shire Netball Association) – elevated to Legend Status

Communities in southern NSW will have easier access to hundreds of NSW Government services and more than 70 cost of living savings, with the third one-stop shop Service NSW bus hitting the road.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the new bus delivers on a promise and will have a dedicated southern NSW route, with 25 towns – including Bundanoon, Braidwood, Boorowa, Gundegai and Batlow – to be visited around every eight weeks.
“Having Service NSW available on wheels will provide added convenience and hip pocket relief to southern NSW families, many of whom are devastated by drought,” Mr Dominello said.
“This bus will take Service NSW to the people, saving them not only time, but also money. It will perform the same transactions available at most centres, such as getting a birth certificate, Seniors Card, and renewing vehicle registration, as well as Driver Knowledge Tests and on the spot cost of living appointments.
“The two existing buses have covered almost 40,000 kilometres and completed around 2,500 transactions, saving customers in regional and remote areas a combined 150 hours in travel time. About 300 customers have collectively saved $132,000, with an average saving of $540.”
The bus will roll through towns with advanced notice, so locals will know when to expect a visit and what documentation is required to perform their transaction. They will also be called out in times of emergency such as natural disasters.
The fourth Service NSW bus is expected to be rolled out before the end of the year.
Further information on the bus route is available at www.service.nsw.gov.au/service-centre/mobile-service-centre-southern-nsw-locations

The NSW Government will introduce laws to crack down on illegal firearm manufacturers, including those who supply the firearm parts or allow their premises to be used to manufacture weapons.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the new offences will apply to anyone who ‘takes part’ in the illegal manufacture of firearms, similar to laws in place for taking part in the supply or manufacture of illicit drugs.
“There is a gap in the law where people that are involved in the process of manufacturing an illegal firearm are not captured under present laws, and this is something that must be rectified,” Mr Elliott said.
“As far as I am concerned, if someone plays any part in producing an illegal firearm then they should face the full force of the law. We know that our enhancements to Firearms Prohibition Orders have been extremely successful, but we also need to stay ahead of the curve in ensuring we combat illegal firearm manufacturing.”
The legislation will target:

• Assemblage of parts in the illegal manufacture of firearms;
• The acquisition, possession, use or supply of equipment, electronics (including digital blueprints or plans) components or materials;
• Financing the illegal manufacture of firearms;
• Participating in the illegal manufacture of firearms;
• Providing premises used in the illegal manufacturing process; and
• The manufacture of other prohibited weapons such as flick knives, zombie knives, flame throwers, kung fu sticks, knuckle-dusters, slingshots and mines.

It will also ensure the maximum penalty for illegal manufacturing will be 20 years. The legislation would not apply to law abiding firearm dealers or authorised commercial enterprises that are permitted to manufacture firearms.
The NSW Government will introduce a bill to Parliament early next year.

Connecting one of the missing links in Sydney’s motorway network is a step closer to delivering benefits to the residents and businesses of Sydney’s south and the Illawarra.
From tomorrow, companies vying to build the underground motorway from Arncliffe to Kogarah, now known as M6 Stage 1, can express their interest in a project expected to create 5,300 jobs throughout its life.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the M6 Stage 1 would make journeys easier and safer by avoiding roads such as President Avenue and The Grand Parade – and save motorists up to 15 minutes in traffic.
“Once complete, the new M6 will provide significant time travel savings for Sydney’s south and the Illawarra. More than 2,000 trucks a day will be removed from local streets and 23 sets of traffic lights bypassed,” Ms Berejiklian said.
The M6 Stage 1, previously known as the F6 Extension, includes four kilometre twin tunnels between the new M5 Motorway at Arncliffe and President Avenue at Kogarah.
Roads Minister Andrew Constance said the M6 Stage 1 would provide relief for  motorists around Kogarah and Brighton-le-Sands.
“That’s why we are pleased to be moving forward with this congestion-busting infrastructure which will help get commuters home with their families sooner and spend less time stuck in traffic,” Mr Constance said.
Travel-time savings during the morning peak (when used with other motorway connections) include:

• Kogarah to ANZAC Bridge – up to 15 mins
• Miranda to Macquarie Park – up to 15 mins
• Kogarah to South Sydney – up to 13 mins
• Taren Point to Mascot – up to 12 mins
• Kogarah to Sydney CBD – up to 8 mins

It is expected that a contract will be awarded in December 2020, construction will begin by early 2022 and open to motorists by the end of 2025.

Explorers are being encouraged to search new areas of the state for both traditional and high-tech metal deposits thanks to $6 million in grants from the NSW Government to attract new investment into regional NSW.
Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Resources John Barilaro said the third funding round of the New Frontiers Cooperative Drilling program will reimburse successful applicants for up to 50 per cent of their per metre drilling costs up to a maximum of $200,000.
Speaking at the sixth annual International Mining and Resources Conference in Melbourne today, Mr Barilaro announced a $2 million funding boost, on top of $4 million allocated under two previous rounds of the program.
“We’ve already seen the benefits from previous rounds of this fund, with the first Cooperative Drilling hole in a project near Broken Hill striking high-grade platinum group metals and leading to a $5 million joint venture investment,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Our goal is to make NSW the number one state for new mineral exploration and resources investment across the nation, and we’re doing that by providing greater support for explorers and investors, and providing greater certainty for the mining sector.”
The NSW Government has just completed the largest-ever aerial electromagnetic (AEM) survey by area in NSW history, with researchers looking for clues for new copper, gold and zinc deposits, and groundwater, over more than 19,000 km² in the Greater Cobar region.
“A vast array of metals are used worldwide to manufacture high-tech products such as smartphones, satellite components and pacemakers, as well as renewable energy technologies including wind turbines and the batteries in hybrid and electric cars,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Global demand for metals is growing strongly and we want to ensure that the people of NSW, especially the NSW Central West, have every chance to capitalise on that demand, with the exploration for new mineral deposits and groundwater sources generating jobs, attracting investment and bringing economic and social benefits to local communities.”
Data from the AEM survey will be available to the public in the first quarter of 2020, adding to a range of other detailed maps and geological information already available from the Resources and Geoscience website.
Mr Barilaro also launched the NSW Government’s new Online Minerals Prospectus, another key deliverable of the NSW Minerals Strategy.
“This dynamic online portal acts as a one-stop shop for explorers, project developers and mining investors, giving them the tools and guidance they need to tap into the minerals and business potential of NSW, especially regional NSW,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Mineral exploration is a high-risk investment with long life cycles that can exceed 20 years, but NSW offers the conditions for success and the NSW Government strongly supports our minerals industry and the responsible development of our mineral resources into the future.”
“Mining makes a significant contribution to the NSW economy and provides a wide variety of benefits to communities across regional NSW, including employment, with the industry supporting more than 29,000 direct and 115,000 indirect jobs.”
For more information on the Cooperative Drilling Program visit www.resourcesandgeoscience.nsw.gov.au/cooperative-drilling
View the Online Minerals Prospectus at www.resourcesandgeoscience.nsw.gov.au/investors/online-prospectus