Category: NSW News

Australia’s solar industry is set for a major boost thanks to research involving a startup company and UNSW Sydney, supported by the NSW Government to embed solar panels into building materials.
Minister for Energy Matt Kean said the project with startup Solspan Pty Ltd – supported through the NSW Government’s Boosting Business Innovation Program, aimed to integrate solar panels into sheet metal for use on building roofs and walls.
“It’s fantastic to see more grants going to innovative renewable energy technology.
“I encourage our entrepreneurs, engineers and scientists to think big about our future energy needs. It’s innovation like this, that will make energy more affordable, reliable and clean and will shape our 21^st century grid,” Mr Kean said.
Small Business Minister Damien Tudehope said the $18 million Innovation Program was all about helping businesses tap into the top-notch research of the State’s universities and the CSIRO to develop new products and services.
“Bringing together great business and academic minds gives our entrepreneurs confidence to invest in their ideas and support to help them succeed.”
Solspan managing director Wade Blazley, a builder for 40 years, said a matching $15,000 TechVoucher grant under the Boost program helped him work with UNSW to integrate solar photovoltaic cells into his ‘Solspan’ sheet metal building panel.
“Our integrated solar building panels would be used to construct roofs and even walls on buildings, making the separate installation of solar panels unnecessary.”
Associate Professor Anita Ho-Bailllie from UNSW’s School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering said researchers had successfully integrated thin film silicon solar cells into Solspan’s sheet metal panels.
“Now we need to make the solar building panels weatherproof by putting a transparent and flexible protective layer on top, and ensuring they are structurally sound to get building approval to Australian standards.”

BILLION-DOLLAR INVESTMENT IN NSW DAMS

• The Morrison and Berejiklian Governments will deliver a $1 billion water infrastructure package for rural and regional communities impacted by the devastating drought in NSW.
• In partnership with the Commonwealth, we will build the first new dam in NSW for more than 30 years.
• This builds on the NSW Government’s record $3 billion in drought support and water security announced since 2017, including funding for 60 bores across 23 communities and 14 pipelines
• The NSW Government has already committed close to $3 billion to drought relief and water security since 2017.
• The NSW Government has been getting on with building critical water infrastructure projects but this was a significant turning point to future-proof the state.

METRO TUNNELS HIT HISTORIC MILESTONE

• 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.
• This historic milestone means 22 kilometres of the Sydney Metro tunnels are now finished in just 11 months.

NSW RECORDS $400 MILLION BOOST TO BOTTOM LINE

• The NSW Government has continued to deliver sound financial management and secure the State’s economic future with Treasurer Dominic Perrottet releasing the Total State Sector Accounts (TSSA) detailing the actual financial result for 2018-19.
• The TSSA show a surplus of $1.2 billion was achieved in 2018-19, a $417 million improvement from the $802 million result forecast in the NSW Budget delivered in June.
• Mr Perrottet said that due to the improved budget result, almost $300 million extra would now be directed into the NSW Generations Fund (NGF) – a sovereign wealth fund set-up in 2018 to enable debt retirement and benefit the State for the long-term.

MINING APPROVAL SECURES ALMOST 300 REGIONAL JOBS

• 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.
• “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.
• “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.”

SPEED CAMERA REVIEW PROVES THEY SAVE LIVES

• Fixed speed cameras across the state have reduced fatalities by 80 per cent, according to the latest annual performance review.
• “Last year we lost 347 lives on our state’s roads, and this year’s toll is already at 292. Speeding is the biggest killer. We know speed cameras in the right locations slow drivers down and save lives,” Mr Constance said.
• The review found at the 110 fixed speed camera locations in NSW injuries also fell by more than a third.
• At the 171 intersections where red-light speed cameras are installed, fatalities fell by 74 per cent, serious injuries dropped by 40 per cent and pedestrian casualties almost halved.

NSW GOVERNMENT SWITCHES ON $12.85M MALPAS TO GUYRA PIPELINE

• The $12.85 million Malpas Dam to Guyra pipeline was officially switched on delivering water security for the community of Guyra.
• Mr Barilaro said the project will ensure water for the 2000 people in Guyra who have been doing it tough during this unprecedented drought.
• We made sure this project progressed quickly providing $820,000 in additional emergency funding to get water pumping through the pipeline earlier than planned

PYRMONT TO BE THE NEW GATEWAY TO SYDNEY CBD

• Pyrmont and the Western Harbour precinct will be transformed into the next jobs hub and economic driver of Sydney under a NSW Government plan to revitalise the key inner-city precinct.
• Premier Gladys Berejiklian made the announcement following the release of the Greater Sydney Commission’s (GSC) review into the area’s planning rules.
• Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the NSW Government would immediately move to amend the planning controls with a focus on jobs and economic activity to better support proposals to develop the area.

MORE THAN 5,500 STUDENTS ACROSS NSW TO BENEFIT FROM SCHOOL UPGRADES

• Seven schools across NSW have been upgraded benefitting more than 5,500 students, thanks to the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.
• 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.

LIGHT RAIL COUNTDOWN HITS HOME STRAIGHT

• 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.
• 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
• Trams will soon start testing in Kingsford and Kensington.

$28 MILLION TO REALLY FLOAT YOUR BOATS

•  $28 million will be spent on improving maritime facilities across the state.
• The funding is the third round in the government’s Boating Now Program, which has already delivered over 200 projects.
• The investment builds on the original $70 million program which began in 2015.

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.”