Category: NSW News

Ratings agency Moody’s has given the NSW Government’s strong financial and economic management the seal of approval by re-affirming the State’s Triple-A credit rating.
Moody’s latest credit opinion report states the Triple-A rating reflects “our expectation that the State’s large and diverse economy will continue to perform well, and that the State’s debt burden and interest expense coverage will remain manageable over the medium term.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the Triple-A credit rating reflected the underlying health of the NSW economy and sound financial management.
“Maintaining the highest possible credit rating allows the Government to deliver our record breaking $93 billion infrastructure program and spend more on health, education and transport at the lowest possible cost,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We are building new hospitals, schools, train lines and roads for the people of NSW as we get on with the job of delivering the biggest infrastructure pipeline in the State’s history.
“The biggest threat to our economy is the Labor party, which hasn’t learnt the lessons of both state and federal elections and continues to put forward policies that will destroy jobs, businesses and local communities.”
The Moody’s report also noted the establishment of the NSW Generations Fund and its important role in managing debt, the State’s strong liquidity, and the NSW Government’s ongoing contribution towards reducing the State’s unfunded superannuation liability in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2012 target.
Standard & Poor’s rating agency also assigned the NSW Government a Triple-A rating in September last year.
NSW is one of only two states in Australia assigned a Triple-A rating – the highest possible measure of safety for lenders to Government entities such as TCorp and state-owned corporations.

Students nearing the end of high school, or who are undertaking tertiary education, can now apply for $1,000 cash grants to help pursue their learning goals.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said the scholarships help cover education-related expenses for young people living in social housing or out-of-home care.
“We want to make sure that young people living in social housing or who are in out-of-home care have every opportunity to break the cycle of intergenerational disadvantage,” Mr Ward said.
“These scholarships provide a helping hand for young people while they complete their studies and can be used to purchase things like a laptop, internet connection, textbooks or tools for tradies.
“This is about giving vulnerable young people a pathway to independence while improving school and tertiary education rates as well as better preparing them for the workplace develop work readiness.”
To be eligible students must either be a social housing tenant, a social housing applicant, be living in crisis or supported accommodation, or living in out-of-home care.
Scholarships are available to students in Year 10, 11 or 12 at a NSW high school or TAFE equivalent. They are also open to young people completing a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship, or studying a VET subject at school in 2020.
Young people who received the scholarship last year and are moving on to tertiary education, a traineeship or apprenticeship, can also apply.
The program will give priority access to young people living in supported accommodation, identifying as at risk of homelessness, having experienced domestic and family violence, or have been in contact with the youth justice system.
An initiative under Future Directions for Social Housing in NSW, the scholarship program has assisted more than 1,000 students since 2017.
For more information on how to apply, visit www.facs.nsw.gov.au/scholarships.

Criminals will soon be under the scrutiny of up to a thousand electronic eyes as the NSW Government rolls out high-definition CCTV to help protect local businesses in western Sydney.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Attorney General Mark Speakman and Police Minister David Elliott today announced the first round of successful applicants from the Government’s $5 million CCTV fund.
“Community safety is our top priority and these grants will help keep small businesses and communities safe from crime and anti-social behavior,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“CCTV cameras boost community confidence and send a strong message to would-be criminals that if you do the wrong thing, you will be caught and punished.”
There are 31 successful applicants in first round, and include a music school in North Parramatta, a kindergarten in Auburn, a café in Cabramatta, a registered charity in Penrith and a health facility in Liverpool.
Mr Speakman said that the fund will provide at least 1000 small businesses and community organisations with support to enhance security.
“CCTV footage can really make or break a case. The more visuals we have, the greater the chance of successful investigations and prosecutions,” Mr Speakman said.
“I encourage eligible businesses to apply as we know increased CCTV can deter anti-social behaviour and will ultimately make our suburbs safer.”
Mr Elliott said the new cameras would be entered into the NSW Police Force CCTV Register, providing another crime-fighting tool to identify and catch criminals.
“CCTV puts the spotlight directly on offenders, to help reduce crimes like malicious damage, break and enter, shoplifting and assault,” Mr Elliott said.
“Stepping up monitoring of small businesses, community organisations and key locations around western and south-western Sydney will be a big help to frontline police.”
The funding provides up to $5,000 towards cameras and installation. It is open to not-for-profit community organisations and small businesses with a turnover of less than $2 million.
The program is being rolled out across the Blacktown, Camden, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Liverpool, Parramatta, Penrith and Wollondilly local government areas.
Applications under the Community and Small Business CCTV Fund can be submitted via www.crimeprevention.nsw.gov.au

The State’s waterways will have enhanced safety this summer with the arrival of new vehicles and jet skis following a major funding investment from the NSW Government.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott visited Wanda Beach today to inspect some of the 11 new vehicles and 11 new jet skis for Surf Life Saving NSW.
The new equipment forms part of a $16 million funding package over four years for SLSNSW which enhances the capability and support for volunteers at their 11 branches across the State.
Each vehicle and jet ski is fitted with GPS tracking to ensure the safety of volunteers who are often working alone or with just one other person in remote areas. The vehicles are also fitted with shark alarms to warn swimmers.
“The NSW Government recognises the contribution surf lifesavers make to protecting and saving lives along our coastline and we are pleased to be able to support the organisation with fit for purpose rescue equipment,” Mr Elliott said.
“These new vehicles and jet skis will be put to good use this summer to protect our waterways, but I still encourage everyone to be safe and take care in the water.”
SLSNSW CEO Steven Pearce says the new rescue equipment rolling out will better support and enhance the safety of frontline volunteers.
“Our members are often called out to serious emergencies along the coast and now they will have the support of dedicated rescue-ready gear to respond to incidents out of hours and in tricky situations,” Mr Pearce said.
SLSNSW is increasingly expanding its services beyond just beach patrols during the summer with volunteers called on to respond to searching for missing swimmers, rock fishers in trouble and watercraft users in distress on a 24/7 basis.
Last year SLSNSW received almost 600 requests for assistance from Emergency Services that were responded to by volunteers.

Finding the best ways to accurately and respectfully talk about suicide will be the challenge for a gathering of experts today in NSW Parliament House, on World Suicide Prevention Day.
The Towards Zero Suicides Premier’s Priority Delivery Plan Workshop calls together leading suicide prevention experts, clinicians, frontline staff and people with a lived experience of suicide.
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the most recent data from 2017 reveals the shocking statistic that impacts so many more people than the raw figures indicate.
“880 people died by suicide in NSW, that’s more than double our road toll, and the ripple effect on loved ones compounds the awful statistic,” Minister Taylor said.
The Towards Zero Suicides Premier’s Priority was recently announced, setting the ambitious target to reduce the rate of suicide deaths in NSW by 20 per cent by 2023, as the first step in the journey towards zero suicides.
“The Premier’s Priority is a chance to have suicide prevention prioritised as never before, and for us to make an unprecedented effort to reverse our rising suicide rate,” Minister Taylor said.
“Last year, the NSW Government announced a record $87 million investment in the Towards Zero Suicides initiatives.”
Mr John Brogden, Chairman of Lifeline Australia, will host the workshop as it helps take the next step towards reducing the suicide rate in NSW.
Mr Brogden said everyone has a role to play in suicide prevention, including government agencies, community managed and non-government organisations, the research sector, workplaces and communities.
“Suicide and attempted suicide is an issue affecting every part of our community, and the voices of people with lived experience of suicide are a key aspect of any response.”
Today’s participants will design the Delivery Plan for the Premier’s Priority, building on Strategic Framework for Suicide Prevention in NSW 2018-23.
More information on World Suicide Prevention Day is available at www.wspd.org.au.
If you or someone you know needs crisis support, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14. For mental health services in your local area call the NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511.

Parramatta is ready to dive into building a new aquatic centre following a $77 million funding partnership between the NSW Government and Parramatta City Council.
Minister for Sport John Sidoti said Parramatta Council has agreed to take control of building a state-of-the-art aquatic centre in Parramatta.
“Parramatta deserves a pool which caters for competition, learn to swim classes, recreation and relaxation. The commitment of $38.5 million from the NSW Government will help make this happen,” Mr Sidoti said.
“The NSW Government and Parramatta Council are on the same page when it comes to delivering an outstanding all-year-round aquatic facility that gives the community what they have asked for.”
City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Clr Andrew Wilson said the winning design for the aquatic centre was by a consortium of Andrew Burges Architects, Grimshaw Architects, and McGregor Coxall.
“It was chosen from a shortlist of four exceptional entries following a high-calibre international design excellence competition,” Clr Wilson said.
“Congratulations to the consortium on their successful submission. I’m excited to see this project progressing and I look forward to working to ensure this first-class facility is delivered for the Parramatta community as soon as possible.
“I’d also like to thank Mr Sidoti and the State Government for their valuable contribution to this significant project – an aquatic centre that meets the current and future needs of our rapidly growing population.”
The design of the aquatic leisure centre was completed after extensive community consultation and will feature a 10-lane 50-metre outdoor pool, a 25-metre indoor pool, learn-to-swim facilities, fitness centre, change rooms, café and parking facilities.
Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said the pools will be heated, making it the place to swim and relax all year round.
“This aquatic centre will be the envy of communities all over the State. It will be a complex with versatility designed to meet the needs of Parramatta now and in the future for decades to come,” Mr Lee said.
“This funding partnership between the NSW Government and the City of Parramatta is the great news the community has been waiting for.”

Veterans in NSW  are set to reap the benefits of a new guide designed to help them compare and match their skills from military service to jobs within local councils.
The Local Government Rank to Grade Guide has been developed by the NSW Veterans Employment Program and the Office of Local Government to help veterans in their civilian job search.
Local councils in NSW employ approximately 45,000 full-time employees across a wide range of roles. Local Government NSW’s Capability Framework sets out the essential knowledge, skills and abilities needed to work effectively in local government.
Minister for Veterans John Sidoti said the NSW Local Government Rank to Grade Guide, maps out how positions within the Australian Defence Force align to NSW Local Government job grades.
“This program targets those that do the hiring in local councils by educating them on exactly how valuable the skill sets of our veterans are,” Mr Sidoti said.
“We spend so much time and effort training our men and women to be ready for battle and we need to replicate that intensity when we help them look for work after life in the defence force.”
The Rank to Grade guide forms an integral part of the successful Veterans Employment Program, which has already exceeded expectations in the public sector.
Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said this is going to be a game changer because it will help our veterans’ job applications stand out from the rest.
“The guide will not only provide veterans with a rewarding career path but also bolster the ranks of local government with the invaluable skills, knowledge and experience of our military personnel.
“This is a win-win-win situation for councils wanting to utilise the skills of our veterans, for communities to benefit from the knowledge and experience they bring and for vets to have meaningful post-service careers.”
NSW local councils employ approximately 45,000 personnel across 128 council locations. For more information drop in to your local council or head to www.vep.veterans.nsw.gov.au

The rollout of a brand new lifesaving fleet for the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) was officially launched today at the International Peace Park in Seven Hills.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the $56.4 million Fleet Replacement Program would provide the SES with 270 vehicles, 124 marine vessels and 95 storm trailers across four years to support communities in their times of crisis.
The vehicles include storm trucks, rescue vehicles, snow mobiles and a 22-seater bus.
“SES volunteers play a crucial role in keeping the community safe and we have to make sure their vehicles are up-to-date with the latest technology to provide effective and efficient capability during emergencies,” Mr Elliott said.
NSW SES Acting Commissioner Kyle Stewart said the investment will increase the capability of the SES to support communities before, during and after emergencies.
“SES volunteers use this equipment every day to save lives and protect communities. These new vehicles and boats assist our volunteers in responding to the impacts of floods and storms across NSW,” Mr Stewart said.
The new fleet were on display for the community during a family fun day with SES volunteers showcasing their road crash, flood and large animal rescue skills as well as enjoying a free BBQ.
The SES has more than 9,500 volunteers who have responded to 40,044 Requests for Assistance since 1 July, 2018.
These requests include 96 flood rescues, 545 general land rescues, 769 road crash rescues, 50 vertical rescue and 619 community first responder activations.
More information about becoming an SES volunteer or making a donation is available here.

The NSW Government has today followed through on one of its key election promises, appointing the State’s very first Fresh Milk and Dairy Advocate.
Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall today announced Ian Zandstra would serve as NSW Fresh Milk and Dairy Advocate. Mr Marshall said the Advocate would play a key role in helping to grow a stronger, more profitable dairy industry in NSW.
“I’m absolutely delighted to announce Ian Zandstra will serve as our State’s first Fresh Milk and Dairy Advocate,” Mr Marshall said.
“Ian has a wealth of experience and is highly regarded across industry so is in a wonderful position to hit the ground running in this important role.
“The Advocate will champion dairy in NSW by providing advice to both government and industry on how we can better support our producers and create more value across the entire supply chain.
“There’s no doubt the NSW dairy industry has faced some serious challenges in recent years but I’m confident this role will provide the support our producers need and help ensure NSW remains a fresh milk State.”
Mr Zanstra said: “I’m absolutely honoured to be appointed to this role and look forward to working with industry and government to build a stronger dairy supply chain in NSW.
“My first priority is to establish an industry Advisory Panel, which will play a key role in identifying immediate and necessary actions for the sector and shaping advice to the Government.”
Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture Michael Johnsen said he looked forward to working with Mr Zanstra to build a stronger, more resilient dairy industry.
“Mr Zandstra is a champion of industry and his appointment will come as great news to dairy producers across NSW,” Mr Johnsen said.
Appointing a Dairy Advocate was a key election promise by the NSW Liberals & Nationals. The Advocate will help provide a united voice for industry, deliver clear advice to Government and help drive profitability across the industry supply chain. They will also assist in the delivery of a Dairy Action Plan and a ‘buy local fresh milk’ campaign.

NSW families are cashing in on the NSW Government’s Active Kids program with over a million vouchers created since the start of this year.
Minister for Sport John Sidoti said voucher downloads have been hugely popular for parents as they save money while keeping their kids active.
“I want to see kids play sport because when we nurture our grassroots, we reap the benefits as a society. It’s a huge win for NSW to have these vouchers to contribute towards the costs of sports like swimming, dancing, netball, soccer, rugby or tennis,” Mr Sidoti said.
“With over a million vouchers downloaded this year you can see how keen parents are to get their kids involved in sport. Participation not only brings physical benefits but also builds confidence, resilience and leadership.”
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said NSW school-enrolled children have been able to access two $100 Active Kids vouchers, since July 1.
“We know sporting activities are popular with children but the costs can add to a household budget, which is why we introduced this program,” Mr Dominello said.
“Parents simply love the program and have given it a 99.8 per cent customer satisfaction rating. We are committed to easing the cost of living for families and so far nearly $130 million has been saved by parents.
“By doubling the vouchers children can play both a summer and winter sport.”
Tennis NSW CEO Lawrence Robertson said Active Kids has assisted Tennis NSW in getting more kids playing tennis at a grassroots level.
“Active Kids go far and I encourage all families to take advantage of the second Active Kids voucher and enrol in sport or recreation like tennis over summer,” Mr Robertson said.
Some of the most popular activities for girls in 2019 include dance, netball and swimming while for boys, soccer, swimming and rugby league are attracting the most vouchers.
For further information visit www.sport.nsw.gov.au/activekids or call 13 13 02.