Category: NSW News

Two new giant gangways have arrived at the Overseas Passenger Terminal.
The custom-built walkways have been designed to better support visits from larger cruise ships, some which carry over 5,000 passengers.
Arriving fully assembled, the gangways were unloaded by crane and installed on the wharf over two days.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the two new gangways will improve the terminal’s efficiency.
“These new passenger bridges will move over 1,200 people every 30 minutes. The great thing is they increase capacity and speed up boarding and disembarking, making it a much more enjoyable experience for the hundreds of thousands of passengers welcomed at the Overseas Passenger Terminal every year,” Mr Constance said.
Following a period of testing and commissioning, the new gangways will be operational in time for the 2019/20 cruise season.
The installation of the new gangways builds on the NSW Government’s significant investments in Sydney’s cruise terminal facilities to ensure the city is the leading cruise tourism destination in Australia.
Over 1.6 million cruise passengers transit through Sydney’s two cruise terminals: the Overseas Passenger Terminal and White Bay Cruise Terminal, making New South Wales the home of cruise in Australia.
The 300-plus cruise ships visiting New South Wales each year generate $2.75 billion for the state’s economy, support almost 10,000 jobs and generate $800 million in wages.

More than 500 local jobs will be created when Disney-owned visual effects company Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) sets up a new studio in Sydney, establishing NSW as a global destination for post, digital and visual effects (PDV).
Premier Gladys Berejiklian joined Executive Creative Director and Head of ILM Rob Bredow and ILM Executive Luke Hetherington at Fox Studios Australia today to make the announcement.
Ms Berejiklian said ILM’s decision to choose NSW as its Australian base is a big win for the State.
“ILM is responsible for the visual effects of more than 350 feature films, including Star Wars, Aladdin, Pirates of the Caribbean and The Avengers,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Having the world’s leading visual effects company now agreeing to set up here permanently and commit to teaching invaluable skills to hundreds of people in NSW is a big coup for our State. This is only the third studio ILM has opened outside of North America.
“The digital skills taught by the best in the world will also benefit many other industries in NSW, including software development, robotics, engineering and defence.”
Mr Bredow and Mr Hetherington confirmed that recruitment will begin immediately to complete post, digital and visual effects for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Mr Bredow said Sydney is an ideal location for ILM’s fifth studio.
“There is abundant artistic and technical talent in the region which are both keys to ILM’s culture of innovation. It’s particularly exciting that the first film our new studio will contribute to will be Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” Mr Bredow said.
The announcement follows the NSW Government’s recent move to offer a 10 per cent tax incentive for PDV firms investing over $500,000 in NSW. This is on top of Federal incentives, making NSW an even more attractive location for film production.
The new incentive brings NSW in line with global locations such as the US, UK and Canada, in addition to competing States.
As part of today’s announcement, the NSW Government will also provide a $6 million contribution which will be matched by ILM to establish training programs to build specialised PDV skills for local workers.
Minister for Jobs and Investment Stuart Ayres said PDV is a $15 billion global industry and one that offers highly skilled jobs for NSW.
“We have a shortage of skilled PDV workers in NSW and today’s announcement will help us attract crew who have relocated, as well as drive new teams that will go through ILM’s exciting JEDI Academy program amongst other learning opportunities,” Mr Ayres said.
Minister for the Arts Don Harwin welcomed ILM to Sydney and said he was excited about all of the opportunities that this will open up for NSW.
“Securing ILM’s setup in Sydney will deliver an estimated $333 million in post-production business in the first five years and an expected $100 million each year after,” Mr Harwin said. “We are thrilled to be the home of their new studio.”
Mr Hetherington will see his role expand to include the new ILM studio, which will set up initially at Fox Studios Australia as the company researches options for their permanent Sydney studio.

With the new M4 tunnels open to traffic for barely 36 hours, the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is not wasting any time in continuing to build Sydney’s motorway network, with expressions of interest now open for the Sydney Gateway project.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Sydney Gateway, the next piece of city-shaping infrastructure, would make access to Sydney Airport and Port Botany quicker and easier –together with WestConnex, saving up to 40 minutes from Parramatta to the airport.
“The delivery of the toll-free Sydney Gateway will be a massive improvement to the way motorists travel to Sydney Airport, and take around 10,000 heavy vehicles off local streets in Mascot every day as they travel to Port Botany,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Minister for Roads Andrew Constance said Sydney Gateway would provide a new alternative route to the domestic and international airport terminals from the Sydney motorway network at St Peters interchange.
“Sydney Gateway will include a dedicated flyover to the front door of the domestic airport terminal and improve connections towards Port Botany,” Mr Constance said.
“There will be further time savings from Parramatta, Dee Why, Moorebank and Campbelltown, and provide relief to Southern Cross Drive, King Georges Road and the M5 East tunnel.”
Mr Constance said the successful private sector bidder chosen through the expressions of interest process would construct Sydney Gateway, but it would be toll-free.
Sydney Gateway will save up to 40 minutes on a trip from Parramatta to the domestic terminal, 30 minutes from Haberfield, 22 minutes from Bankstown or Campbelltown, and 19 minutes from Rozelle.
It will save up to 36 minutes on a trip from Eastern Creek to Port Botany, 30 minutes from Silverwater, and 20 minutes from Moorebank or Wetherill Park.

The new M4 Tunnels have been officially opened and the first drivers will make their way through the 5.5 kilometre tunnels from Homebush to Haberfield early tomorrow morning.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Minister for Roads Andrew Constance have cut the ribbon on the $3.8 billion project, which will allow drivers to bypass the notoriously congested Parramatta Road.
“These twin tunnels give drivers the option to avoid 22 sets of traffic lights, slashing up to 20 minutes off a trip from Parramatta to the Sydney CBD,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This is a major step towards giving back more time to people, so they spend less time in traffic and more time with family and friends, as well as doing the things they love.
Mr McCormack said the opening of new M4 tunnels was another important step in the WestConnex project.
“These tunnels are a game changer for the people of western Sydney, doubling the capacity of the corridor between Homebush and Haberfield,” Mr McCormack said.
“We know congestion in our cities is a real problem and the Australian Government is doing everything it can to fix it through our record $100 billion pipeline of infrastructure projects over the next decade.”
Mr Constance said there will always be a toll free option for drivers and the new M4 Tunnels are expected to reduce the overall traffic volume on the existing Parramatta Road by more than 50 per cent.
“Within two years it is expected there will be about 67,000 trips a day through the tunnels, taking traffic off local streets,” Mr Constance said.
“The new M4 Tunnels are the first of four major WestConnex tunnels. When WestConnex is finished in 2023, drivers will save an estimated 40 minutes on a trip from Parramatta to Sydney Airport.”
The Eastbound tunnel is expected to open from 2am on Saturday, followed by the Westbound tunnel about an hour later.

The new M4 Tunnels will open from Saturday morning, slashing travel times for tens of thousands of Western Sydney drivers who currently sit in traffic on Parramatta Road every day.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the new M4 Tunnels will bypass 22 sets of traffic lights from Homebush to Haberfield and cut up to 20 minutes off a trip from Parramatta to the Sydney CBD.
“We are now just days away from drivers benefiting from the first underground section of WestConnex,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This is yet another major project which will allow people to spend less time in traffic and more time doing what they want.”
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure the Hon Alan Tudge said the M4 Tunnels are the first of four tunnel pieces in the WestConnex puzzle.
“This gamechanging project will help bust Sydney’s congestion, cutting travel times and return local streets to locals,” Mr Tudge said.
Minister for Roads Andrew Constance said within two years it is expected about 67,000 trips will be made through the new M4 Tunnels each day.
“WestConnex will take up to 10,000 trucks a day off Parramatta Road, which is welcome news for anyone who sits in bumper to bumper traffic on that notoriously congested corridor,” Mr Constance said.
“I would like to thank communities for their patience throughout construction over the past three years.”
The $3.8 billion 5.5 kilometre twin tunnels will be three lanes in each direction and extend the widened M4 from Homebush to Haberfield. It is expected to reduce the overall traffic volume on Parramatta Road by 53 per cent by 2021.
The WestConnex project also includes the New M5, the M4-M5 Link and the Rozelle Interchange, connecting Sydney’s west and southwest via more than 30km of continuous motorway.

The NSW Government has reaffirmed its commitment to halving rough sleeping across the state by 2025, injecting funds to help tackle the ambitious target.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward has announced the latest figures that show the Government’s record investment of $1 billion a year towards reducing homelessness is making a difference.
“Since March 2017, more than 450 people sleeping rough have been helped into long-term permanent accommodation,” Mr Ward said.
“We also know that 92 per cent of people previously sleeping rough in Sydney who were helped into housing in the two years to March 2019 have sustained their tenancies.”
“We have come a long way in breaking the cycle of rough sleeping across our state, but there is still much more to be done to meet the Premier’s priority.”
Mr Ward also announced a $300,000 investment, to help coordinate project delivery with the non-Government sector through the establishment of the End Street Sleeping Collaboration.
The Hon Graham West, who convenes the group of NGO’s and Government organisations under the landmark agreement signed last year, said it was a vital step forward.
“These funds lay the foundation for the Government’s pursuit of the ambitious targets that we have set in relation to homelessness,” Mr West said.
“It will help establish an office, board and working groups which will drive the collaboration of homelessness services and systems and help break the cycle of rough sleeping in NSW.”
The new body will also co-ordinate data on street sleeping and report on progress towards the Premier’s Priority.
The 2019-20 Budget delivered $1 billion towards a range of homelessness and social and affordable housing programs, which contribute to the Premier’s Priority to reduce rough sleeping across NSW by 50 per cent by 2025.

The NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) is entering 38 new conservation agreements with landholders in NSW to protect more than 9,300 hectares of environmentally significant land, including koala habitat.
Environment Minister Matt Kean said the BCT is setting aside $35.9 million to support landholders in the Northern Tablelands, North West Plains, Murray, South West Slopes, Lachlan River and Lismore-Ballina.
“These 38 new BCT agreements will help landowners protect new conservation areas, threatened species, and pristine landscapes,” Mr Kean said.
“These landholders will earn from $21 to $423 per hectare per year over the life of the agreements to manage parts of their property to help protect native and threatened species.”
Through the BCT, the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has committed more than $350 million over the next five years to help protect and conserve the environment, plants and animals.
In just over a year since being established, the BCT has now conserved more than 29,000 hectares of land through 133 private land conservation agreements.
Some of the landscapes being conserved include Grey Box Woodland, Sandhill Pine Woodland, Coolibah-Black Box Woodland, and Brigalow and Myall Woodland. In the Lismore-Ballina area, regionally important koala habitat is being protected.
“The response from landholders to these conservation tenders is overwhelmingly positive,” Mr Kean said.
“We have some of the most beautiful landscapes and pristine natural areas in the country. I want to make sure we are protecting our environment in NSW because I want to leave it in a better state than the one we inherited.”
Conservation tenders are just one way the BCT encourages landholders to protect parts of their land for biodiversity conservation.
For more information about the BCT, visit https://www.bct.nsw.gov.au/

The NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) is entering 38 new conservation agreements with landholders in NSW to protect more than 9,300 hectares of environmentally significant land, including koala habitat.
Environment Minister Matt Kean said the BCT is setting aside $35.9 million to support landholders in the Northern Tablelands, North West Plains, Murray, South West Slopes, Lachlan River and Lismore-Ballina.
“These 38 new BCT agreements will help landowners protect new conservation areas, threatened species, and pristine landscapes,” Mr Kean said.
“These landholders will earn from $21 to $423 per hectare per year over the life of the agreements to manage parts of their property to help protect native and threatened species.”
Through the BCT, the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has committed more than $350 million over the next five years to help protect and conserve the environment, plants and animals.
In just over a year since being established, the BCT has now conserved more than 29,000 hectares of land through 133 private land conservation agreements.
Some of the landscapes being conserved include Grey Box Woodland, Sandhill Pine Woodland, Coolibah-Black Box Woodland, and Brigalow and Myall Woodland. In the Lismore-Ballina area, regionally important koala habitat is being protected.
“The response from landholders to these conservation tenders is overwhelmingly positive,” Mr Kean said.
“We have some of the most beautiful landscapes and pristine natural areas in the country. I want to make sure we are protecting our environment in NSW because I want to leave it in a better state than the one we inherited.”
Conservation tenders are just one way the BCT encourages landholders to protect parts of their land for biodiversity conservation.
For more information about the BCT, visit https://www.bct.nsw.gov.au/

The 2019 HART Junior State Titles concluded yesterday after three wonderful days of action at Baulkham Hills and Penrith District Netball Association.
More than 2,000 players, representing 232 teams from 85 Associations from all over New South Wales, took part in the event, formerly known as the Netball NSW State Age Championships.
Each age group – 12/U, 13/U and14/U – had a Championship Division, as well as Divisions 2, 3 and 4. The winner of each Championship Division was crowned State Champions of their respective age group.
And we are delighted to announce that the three sets of State Champions for 2019 have been crowned. For full results and standings please visit the MyNetball Fixtures & Results page, but for now here are the winners and runners up from each Division.
Netball NSW would also like to thank HART Sport, the naming rights partner of the Junior State Titles, and extend those thanks to the following official partners of the event: QBE, TAFE NSW, BBX and The Kids Cancer Project.
14/U Championships
Winners: Manly Warringah
Runners-up: Ku-ring-gai
14/U Division Two
Winners: Gosford
Runners-up: Inner Western Suburbs
14/U Division Three
Winners: Ballina
Runners-up: Manning Valley
14/U Division Four
Winners: Kiama
Runners-up: Kurri Kurri
13/U Championship
Winners: Penrith District
Runners-up: Manly Warringah
13/U Division Two
Winners: Maitland
Runners-up: Barellan & District
13/U Division Three
Winners: Westlakes District
Runners-up: Muswellbrook
13/U Division Four
Winners: Mudgee District
Runners-up: Kurri Kurri
12/U Championships
Winners: Penrith District
Runners-up: Wyong District
12/U Division Two
Winners: Inner Western Suburbs
Runners-up: Charlestown
12/U Division Three
Winners: Westlakes District
Runners-up: Mudgee District
12/U Division Four
Winners: Port Stephens
Runners-up: Leeton

Following in the footsteps of Suncorp Super Netball, the Netball NSW Premier League will be hosting its first-ever Indigenous Round this week, with all teams celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture across the eight games.
Round 6, taking place on Thursday 11 July, coincides with 2019 NAIDOC Week, with the theme being ‘Voice. Treaty. Truth. Let’s work together for a shared future.’
The theme for the evening will be Tiddas Together – Tiddas is a colloquial Aboriginal word that means sisters.
Ali Tucker-Munro, a former elite netballer with over 100 elite caps to her name, is currently the assistant coach of the UTS Sparks Opens Division team. She spearheaded the idea of introducing an Indigenous Round to Premier League.
“This wonderful game has enriched me on so many levels; physically, mentally, and culturally,” she said.
“Culturally this sport gives me a platform to fulfil what I believe is inherent to who I am as a proud Aboriginal woman – to never forget where I come from, and to always give back to my mob.
“As a proud Kamilaroi woman this round therefore means a great deal to me.
“It’s something that I’ve wanted in NSW for quite some time. So when I put the suggestion to Netball NSW that we should have a Premier League Indigenous round, I was delighted with their response and their commitment in making tonight happen.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the valuable contribution Aboriginal people make across our netball community.”
Each team will take the court wearing a bib featuring Indigenous artwork designed by Tarsha Hawley, an Indigenous player for the Central Coast Heart, who was in the Grand Final-winning Opens team last year.
“This painting for me represents personal success and the empowerment of other Indigenous women throughout my life, and from past achieving Indigenous women who have helped shaped me today,” describes Hawley, who is a Wongaibon woman.
“The concentric circles in the background represent our community, showing how we all come together and are connected as one. No journey being the same, all different but unique.
“To the side of the artwork are dotted lines that represent waves of voices. Voices of past and present Indigenous women who empower me to keep striving, no matter what the setback, no matter the outcome.
“It’s important to back yourself and have strength to keep pushing. It’s the voices from my biggest supporter’s in life that kept me on track to reaching my goals.
“The crow represents the main totem of the Wongaibon nation. It’s the main focal point because this is where life began for me and where I began to learn about my culture.
“The footprints and lines within the triangle represent a journey guided by our elders and ancestors. Each footprint steps forward into the future, showing where we come from and where we can go.
“The triangle symbolises a pathway. As individuals we all set goals and with strength, determination and guidance we can all come together as one.”
BarTV Sports will be live streaming Thursday’s action on three courts, showing both Opens and Under 23s games. The live streams will be shown across Netball NSW’s Facebook and Twitter channels.